OSHA cites contractors for workplace hazards on Lowes home improvement center construction site

[Omaha Steve]

http://hr.cch.com/news/safety/012808a.asp

SAFETY / OSHA - 1/28/08

OSHA has cited five Whitehall, Pa. contractors working on the Lowes home improvement center construction site at 2650 Macarthur Road for a variety of workplace safety and health violations, assessing a total of $142,600 in fines.

OSHA initiated an investigation on July 5, 2007, in response to an employee complaint. As a result of the investigation, T&T Masonry, which was engaged in both steel erection and masonry work with 32 employees at the job site, was cited for seven repeat violations and 18 serious violations. In addition, the company was fined $129,000 for improper use of scaffolds and inadequate fall protection.

DeLeon Enterprises, a roofing contractor with eight employees on site, was cited for six serious violations and fined $9,600 for inadequately training its employees and failure to provide ground fault protection in electrical circuits. NMB Construction, LLC, providing exterior finishing work with five employees on site, was cited for three serious violations and fined $1,125 for failure to provide ground-fault protection in electrical circuits and improper use of scaffolds. Professional Site Management Inc., a utility installation and site preparation contractor with 17 employees at the job site, was cited for one serious violation. The company was fined $2,500 for failure to provide adequate protection to employees working in an excavation. In addition, P.C. Unlimited Inc., a framing contractor with four employees at the site, was cited for one serious violation and fined $375 for failure to provide ground-fault protection on electrical circuits.

"Each of these hazards added to the likelihood of a potential accident," says Jean Kulp, director of the Allentown OSHA Area Office. "With so many contractors involved in this construction project, it's important that each company eliminate the identified violations to make certain all employees stay safe and healthy while working on this job site."

The company may appeal the citation(s) within 15 business days after receipt. Appeals are heard before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA's office in Allentown can be reached by telephone at [phone].