OSHA cited Jose Miguel Charles, doing business as Pirul Trim Service and Blazer Building Inc. after a construction worker dies from a 36-foot fall from the fourth floor of an apartment construction site in New Braunfels, Texas. Charles, the subcontractor was cited with one willful and five serious violations totaling $38,800 in OSHA penalties. Blazer, the general contractor, was cited with four serious violations totaling $8,400 in OSHA fines.
Both companies were cited for failing to provide adequate fall protection. Charles was also cited with a willful violation for failing to properly secure scaffolding. The other five serious violations included failing to train workers on scaffolding and forklifts, develop a hazard communication program, ensure scaffold was designed by a qualified person and ensure forklift modifications were safe. The contractor was also cited for failing to develop a respiratory program.
General contractor Blazer Building was cited with four serious violations including failing to conduct frequent and regular jobsite inspections, ensure hand wash facilities were provided, ensure operators were trained on forklifts and ensure forklift modifications were safe.
Both companies have 15 business days from receipt of their citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
View the citations:
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/JoseMiguelCharles_1050715.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/PriorityPersonnelInc_1094157.pdf
