The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined a Ridgefield Park masonry contractor $46,200 fine for failing to protect workers from falling objects and falls.

The federal safety agency charged F. Pardo Corp. with two repeat violations while workers installed brickwork on a residential structure in Paramus, Newjersey.com reported recently. OSHA said that employees of F. Pardo Corp. did not wear hard hats while working beneath masonry activities and did not have harnesses set up to protect them if they fell off scaffolds.

“Employees were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 18 feet while working on a fabricated frame scaffold without any means of fall protection in place,” OSHA said in a press release.

The contractor was issued a repeat violation because of past violations in Fort Lee in 2010 and Palisades Park in 2011. The owner of the contracting company told OSHA that he provides all of his workers hard hats but they don’t always listen to him. Nonetheless, OSHA’s guidelines make clear that it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure a safe workplace.

OSHA rules require fall protection during any activity or in any area that puts employees at risk for falls of six feet or greater. These include: “ramps, runways, and other walkways; excavations; hoist areas; holes; formwork and reinforcing steel; leading edge work; unprotected sides and edges; overhand bricklaying and related work; roofing work; precast concrete erection; wall openings; residential construction; and other walking/working surfaces.”

To protect from falling objects, OSHA guidelines specify: “The controlling contractor shall bar other construction processes below steel erection unless overhead protection for the employees below is provided.”

If you are a construction worker who was hurt because of an OSHA violation, you may be entitled to compensation. If you live in New Jersey or New York, talk to the construction accident lawyers at the Ginarte law firm. Our experienced attorneys are familiar with OSHA rules and can help you determine whether you have a case.  Call 1-888-GINARTE now. Or fill out our online contact form.

Sources:

OSHA: Fall Protection

OSHA: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction