The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited framing construction company Justin Construction Co. LLC with six safety violations after OSHA inspectors observed employees at three area worksites performing residential construction without using a fall protection system. The inspections began in February 2014 as part of the agency's Regional Emphasis Program on Falls in Construction. Proposed penalties total $186,340.
Three willful violations were cited for the employer's failure to provide a fall protection system at two jobsites, where employees were conducting decking work at heights of 6 feet or more and for allowing workers to use the top step of a stepladder. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.
Two repeat violations were issued for permitting workers to use pressurized nail guns without providing proper eye protection and failing to provide fall protection systems for employees working on steep roofs at elevations between 10 and 16 feet. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
Justin Construction Co. has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission.
