OSHA cited a general contractor and three sub-contractors following the inspection of a Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base construction site. Although most job safety and health inspections in the state are conducted by the North Carolina Department of Labor, federal OSHA retains jurisdiction on military posts and other federal property.
OSHA began its inspection on Jan. 5. It included reviewing the U.S. Marine Corps' investigation of a serious injury resulting from a Nov. 19 wall collapse at the Consolidated Academic Instruction Facility. The agency's findings determined that four 26-foot-high concrete block walls had no temporary bracing and no limited-access zones.
OSHA issued one willful citation to the general contractor, C Construction Company Inc., with a proposed penalty of $56,000, for failing to provide temporary bracing for the masonry walls. The Tyler, Texas-based company was also cited for three alleged serious safety violations, with proposed penalties of $5,700, for failing to: establish a limited-access zone prior to beginning construction; provide an adequate guardrail system; and assure that equipment functioned properly. The company received a "repeat" citation, with a proposed penalty of $3,000, for failing to guard open-sided floors, exposing employees to fall hazards.
OSHA also issued a willful citation to Rush Construction Company Inc. with a proposed penalty of $56,000, for failure to provide temporary bracing during construction of the masonry walls. The Jacksonville, N.C.-based company was also cited for four alleged serious safety violations, including failure to provide adequate guardrails systems and a limited-access zone. These citations carry total proposed penalties of $7,500.
Additionally, OSHA cited two other Jacksonville-based companies, Southerland Electric Company Inc. and Ramsey Air Conditioning Inc. Each company received two serious citations, with penalties totaling $3,000, for failing to provide required guardrail systems.
The four companies have 15 business days to contest the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.