The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is the investigative and regulatory agency that manages workplace safety and health. When a construction site is found to have unsafe conditions OSHA can issue fines or even shut down the site. In the case of one Paterson, N.J. contractor, OSHA fines have reached nearly $50,000 for serious violations that could have led to a tragic construction accident.
According to the OSHA, R.E. General Contractor LLC has been cited for repeat and serious violations while workers were roofing a commercial building in Paterson. In total, the agency has assessed $49,600 in proposed penalties.
OSHA cited the company for two repeat violations for exposing workers to falls greater than 50 feet while roofing. The workers had no fall protection in place, OSHA said. Also, the workers were using an extension ladder that didn’t extend at least three feet above the landing surface, another OSHA violation. The contractor was cited for similar violations in 2008, 2010 and 2011.
A serious violation was issued for failing to provide workers with hard hats while working near the forks of a boom lift.
“OSHA will not tolerate this company’s continuous disregard for adequate fall protection,” said Lisa Levy of the local OSHA office. “Employers have a responsibility to ensure that workers exposed to fall hazards are provided with the proper fall protection equipment, are trained in its use and wear it whenever a fall hazard is present.”
Falls are the number one cause of construction site fatalities in the nation. For this reason, OSHA pays particularly close attention to whether an employer is taking care to protect workers from potential falls.
As a construction worker, whether you work in commercial roofing or excavations, you face risks every day on the job. Construction is one of the more dangerous fields of work. You know this and likely take precautions to keep yourself safe. But you aren’t the only one who has a responsibility. Your employer and the site owner have responsibilities to keep the worksite safe.
When you are injured in a construction accident, you are left with pain, bills and perhaps the inability to work. Fortunately, the attorneys with Ginarte may be able to help.
New Jersey and New York Construction Accident Lawyers
If you’ve been seriously injured in a New York or New Jersey construction accident, contact the offices of Ginarte today for a free consultation. Call us at 888-GINARTE to discuss the details of your case and how we might be able to help.