Omaha Roofing Company Cited for $148,000 in Proposed Fines
|
|
|
Friday, April 24, 2009 |
|
|
The
U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has cited Miranda Roofing in Omaha for alleged
violations of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act and has
proposed $148,400 in penalties against the company.
OSHA cited
the roofing company following an inspection that found employees
exposed to fall hazards without fall protection. The inspection found
two alleged willful, one alleged serious and one alleged repeat
violation of the OSH Act.
"There is no excuse for the lack of
fall protection, and it's outrageous to think that employers still
allow employees to be exposed to fall hazards without ensuring fall
protection is in use," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional
administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "It is imperative that employers take
the necessary steps to eliminate hazards and provide a safe working
environment for all of their employees to prevent accidents from
occurring."
The alleged willful violations stem from the
company's failure to instruct workers in recognizing, avoiding and
eliminating unsafe conditions when they are exposed to falling to the
next lower level and the lack of fall protection when workers are
exposed to fall hazards. OSHA issues a willful violation when an
employer exhibits plain indifference to or intentional disregard for
employee safety and health.
The alleged serious violation stems
from the lack of instruction in the proper uses, placement and care of
portable ladders. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious
physical harm is likely to result from a hazard that an employer knew
or should have known about.
The alleged repeat violation stems
from improper placement of the portable ladder. OSHA issues a repeat
citation when the employer has been issued a violation for a
substantially similar hazard in the previous three years that has
become a final order.
Miranda Roofing has 15 business days from
receipt of these citations to comply, request an informal conference
with OSHA's area director in Omaha or contest the findings before the
independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Occupational Safety and Health Law
Login to read more.
|
|
|
|
|