OSHA Piles Up Fall Protection Citations

Several enforcement actions been filed this month, including one against a Houston contractor in connection with a job site in Hamburg, Pa.

• Dec 26, 2010

OSHA recently filed file serious citations and one repeat citation against Destin Drywall and Paint Inc. of Houston, Texas, mainly for fall hazards. The citations concern a job installing wallboard to the exterior of a Wal-Mart store in Hamburg, Pa. Proposed penalties were $20,100.
"Destin Drywall has a recent history of not providing proper fall protection to employees at its job sites," said Kevin Kilp, OSHA's area director in Harrisburg, Pa., whose office conducted the inspection. "This protection is critical given that falls are the leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry." According to OSHA, the company recently was issued smaller penalties in connection with alleged fall protection violations at Wal-Mart sites in Benbrook, Texas, and North East, Md.
The citations allege Destin did not provide fall protection for employees working on aerial lifts, train employees on fall protection requirements, or require PPE. The repeat citation alleges the company permitted employees to work on a surface more than 6 feet above the ground without an approved method of fall protection.
For information on OSHA’s fall protection standards, visit http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html.