$175,000 in Fines Against Contractors in Mississippi
|
|
Monday, May 18, 2009 |
|
The
U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) is proposing $175,000 in penalties against W.G.
Yates & Sons Construction and Spectrum Concrete Services following
the November 2008 collapse of a wood shoring system at Jeff Anderson
Regional Medical Center's medical towers addition in Meridian, Miss.
Workers
were pouring concrete for the second floor of the building when the
floor collapsed, injuring eight employees of the two companies. W.G.
Yates & Sons Construction Co. was the general contractor at the
site and had contracted with Spectrum Concrete Services LLC to pour and
finish the concrete.
OSHA is proposing two willful violations
with penalties of $140,000 and five serious safety violations with
$33,000 in penalties against W.G. Yates & Sons. The willful
violations are for the company's failure to adequately erect and brace
framework to support loads and to adequately brace tiered shoring. The
agency defines a willful violation as one committed with plain
indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and
health. The serious violations are for the company's failure to train
staff, provide drawings on site during the first two weeks of
construction and vertically align tiered shores. In addition, shoring
equipment had not been inspected prior to erection and the tiered
shoring had not been inspected by an engineer.
Spectrum Concrete
Services is being cited with three serious violations and $2,000 in
fines for failure to provide a written hazard communication program, a
safety and health program, and fall protection training.
"There
is no justification for risking workers' lives by ignoring the
requirements in the design plans," said Clyde Payne, director of OSHA's
Jackson Area Office.
The companies have 15 business days from
receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with
OSHA's area director in Jackson or contest the citations and proposed
penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review
Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Jackson Area
Office, 3780 I-55 North, Suite 210, telephone 601-965-4606.
Login to read more.
|
|
|
|