A subcontractor installing masonry and brick for the Harrah's Casino Parking Garage Complex in New Orleans, La. will pay the price for gambling with its workers' lives.
OSHA has cited Lawrence Johnson Masonry, New Orleans, La., for five alleged safety violations with proposed penalties of $82,750.
The violations were discovered during an unscheduled inspection conducted on Aug. 6, 1999 when bricklayers and framers were working on scaffolds with no fall protection.
OSHA cited the company with three willful and two serious violations.
One of the willful violations was for not properly constructing scaffolding used by employees.
The second willful violation was for not having the work platform at least 18 inches wide to provide workers adequate space for moving or turning while on the platform.
The third willful violation was for not having proper access to the work platform of the scaffold. According to the OSH Act, unless the scaffold framework is specifically designed with a built in ladder, workers are not allowed to climb the framework.
The company was also cited for allowing construction debris to build up a the scaffolding base and for not properly training employees on how to recognize and evaluate the hazards of working on scaffolding.
Lawrence Johnson Masonry has 15 working days from the receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal hearing with the Baton Rouge area director, or to contest the citations and penalties.
About the Author
EHS Today Staff
EHS Today's editorial staff includes:
Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.
Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.