OSHA Enforcement Increased at Texas Construction Sites

May 26, 2000
Recent statistics show the Dallas-Fort Worth area leads the state\r\nof Texas in the number of construction-related fatalities.

Recent statistics show the Dallas-Fort Worth area leads the state of Texas in the number of construction-related fatalities.

In 1999, there were 69 worker fatalities in the construction trades, 31 occurring in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Throughout the metroplex, construction safety violations are often ignored in a building boom.

In response, OSHA officials in North Texas have beefed up continued enforcement in an effort to reverse the trend.

"When investigators find those construction contractors and subcontractors who are not following the law, citations and penalties will be assessed for unsafe working conditions," said OSHA Fort Worth Area Director Dean Wingo.

OSHA officials are rededicating resources and increasing the number of inspectors to actively patrol construction sites for obvious unsafe conditions.

A recent example includes a total of $35,950 in citations issued to a general contractor and two subcontractors working at a restaurant construction site in Grapevine, Texas.

Investigator found an unsafe scaffold being used for the masonry work. OSHA''s standards require that fall protection be provided for employees working on a scaffold over 10 feet high.

"These types of violations are just a small example of the kinds of unsafe conditions that could lead to injuries and that OSHA will continue to investigate," said Wingo.

Additionally, OSHA is working with area construction firms to provide training. There have been free safety seminars held to discuss OSHA compliance and OSHA will continue to offer a free 10-hour OSHA construction safety course in both English and Spanish.

For more information, contact the Fort Worth OSHA office at (817) 428-2470.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

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 IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics 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.

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