BMA General Contractors LLC is facing $140,000 in OSHA fines for fall hazards at two Connecticut work sites. The company was cited for similar hazards in 2006 and 2007.
OSHA cited BMA General Contractors for 15 alleged repeat and serious violations of safety standards following OSHA inspections at worksites in Danielson and Newington, Conn. OSHA alleges BMA General Contractors failed to protect employees against potentially fatal falls and electrocution hazards.
OSHA found employees at both locations exposed to falls of 19 to 29 feet while working on scaffolds and on top of roofs without fall protection equipment or training. At the Danielson location, employees faced additional fall hazards from using ladders that did not extend at least 3 feet above the scaffold platform.
OSHA had cited BMA in 2006 and 2007 for similar hazards at worksites in Glastonbury and Norwich, Conn. As a result, OSHA issued BMA seven repeat citations, carrying $100,000 in proposed penalties.
Employees at both sites also had not been adequately trained in recognizing fall hazards and in the erection and dismantling of scaffolds, while employees at the Danielson site were exposed to electrocution hazards due to the draping of an energized 240-volt power line on top of and along the conductive aluminum frame scaffold on which they were working.
These conditions resulted in the issuance of eight serious citations with $40,000 in proposed fines.