'
OSHA cited Haines & Kibblehouse Inc. of Skippack, Pa., for alleged violations of safety and health standards and proposed $198,000 in penalties.
The corporation provides construction and demolition services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.
This inspection covered employees working at a bridge demolition site in Bethlehem, Pa.
According to George Tomchick, area director of the Allentown OSHA office, the company received five willful violations, with a proposed penalty of $180,000 and four serious violations which carry a penalty of $18,000.
The violations concern employees exposure to lead while torch cutting structures coated with lead paint.
"The employer has been cited by OSHA in the past for exposing his employees to the hazards of lead and is well aware of the measures required to protect his employees, but failed to provide even basic preventions at this site," said Tomchick.
Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the OSH Act and regulations.
A serious violations involves a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.
Haines & Kibblehouse Inc. has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply or contest them.
by Virginia Sutcliffe-Foran