A Lancaster, Pennsylvania construction company faces $64,000 fines from OSHA after an investigation that found the company failed to adequately provide fall protection.
OSHA found that Burkholder Builders had seven different safety violations with on onsite inspection.
Employees were found working on scaffolding and roofs nearly two stories up without fall protection . . . examples of fall protection that could be used are safety nets or guard rails.
OSHA inspectors determined that the company was not following proper procedures when using forklifts. Employees also were not provided with eye protection while using a nail gun, which they weren’t trained to use properly.
Unfortunately,, these types of violation are more frequent than not. We see construction accidents regularly, many times, accident that could have been easily protected against with the appropriate safety measures.
Another frequent issue that we see often in the construction arena is the fact that many subcontractors are not covering employees with workers compensation coverage. General contractors need to understand the importance of receiving proof of coverage, because ultimately, they can be held responsible.
