Below is an example as to why General Contractors need to ensure that their subcontractors are following OSHA regulations

US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites North Carolina and Georgia contractors following fatal worker fall from Epping, NH, water tower

CONCORD, N.H. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited two contractors responsible for the rehabilitation (more…)

Region 7 News Release: 10-175-KAN
Feb. 11, 2010
Contact: Rich Kulczewski
Phone: 303-844-1302

ST. LOUIS — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced issuance of contempt of court orders against Brian Andre, former owner of Andre Tuckpointing and Brickwork (AT&B), Andre Stone and Mason Work Inc. (AS&MW) and Regina Shaw, owner of AS&MW. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued the contempt orders against the St. Louis-area company and individuals for failing to comply with court orders enforcing citations of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC).

“Companies that expose employees to hazards, and then blatantly ignore citations requiring correction of those hazards, will not be overlooked,” said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. “Employers must fulfill their responsibility to keep employees safe, as well as satisfy any sanctions levied for failing to do so.”

The cases stem from numerous citations OSHA issued to AT&B and its successor, AS&MW, for willful, repeat and serious violations related to fall hazards, scaffolding erection deficiencies, power tool guarding and other hazards in connection with multiple projects in the St. Louis area.

When the companies failed to comply with the court’s order enforcing OSHRC’s final order, the secretary of labor filed petitions for contempt. As a result, a special master of the Court of Appeals concluded that Brian Andre, AS&MW and Regina Shaw were in contempt of the order, and recommended various sanctions. The Eighth Circuit substantially accepted the master’s recommendations, found all three parties in contempt, and imposed sanctions, including: Brian Andre, AS&MW and Regina Shaw must pay outstanding monetary penalties, which continue to accrue interest, and other miscellaneous fees, in the current amount of $258,582.08; AS&MW and Regina Shaw must pay a $100 daily penalty, calculated from the time of default, in early 2008, on the OSHRC final order; AS&MW must provide OSHA weekly notification of all current jobs, and known future jobs, at least 72 hours prior to commencement of work for a period of three years; and, AS&MW must provide “competent person” training to all people currently and subsequently designated as jobsite “competent persons,” prior to beginning any work, and provide the secretary records of such training.

The following information explains construction best practices for using a warning line to alert workers they are approaching an unprotected edge of a roof, floor, or other work surface.

OSHA addresses the use of warning lines in 1926.502(f).  You should always review the OSHA standards to clarify any special circumstances you may encounter. (more…)

FREEHOLD, N.J. — U.S. marshals accompanied by special agents from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General today seized a vehicle at the residence of Richard Kohler, president of Brocon Petroleum Inc., after Brocon Petroleum and Kohler failed to pay $7,500 in back wages to a former employee. The

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This is the time of the year when more people well get sick from carbon monoxide poisoning than at any other time.  Many of these cases will end in a fatality.   Temporary heating on construction sites and home (more…)

OSHA is preparing to release changes to existing standards and new standards related to several subjects that they have been analyzing for the last few years.  I would expect that each one of (more…)

Below is an article form the Springfield News-Leader online (more…)

The document below was just issued by OSHA detailing their position regarding painting and decaling hard hats.  Many of you may be confused by conflicting information that has been given.  Their are two situations that you must be aware of.  Number 1 does the manufacturer prohibit the placing of decals or painting (more…)

Two workers performing maintenance on the roof of the new Cowboy’s Stadium were injured today in a fall.  They failed to wear the required fall protection.  Click link below for more information.

Workers hurt working at Cowboy’s Stadium