Scaffolding Collapse Leads to Florida Contractor's $69,168 Fine

Scaffolding Collapse Leads to Florida Contractor's $69,168 Fine

In October 2010, two employees were painting the inside of a water tank when a suspended scaffold device anchored on the outer surface of a roof hole fell through the hole, causing one side of the scaffold to collapse.

February 21, 2011

OSHA has cited M Brothers Paintings Inc. of St. Augustine, Fla., with 15 safety violations following a scaffolding collapse at a Hollywood, Fla., worksite that seriously injured two workers. Penalties total $69,168.
In October 2010, two employees were painting the inside of a water tank when a suspended scaffold device anchored on the outer surface of a roof hole fell through the hole, causing one side of the scaffold to collapse. The two workers fell approximately 25 feet.
"If proper safety precautions had been taken, these injuries could have been prevented," said Darlene Fossum, OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale. "It is the employer's responsibility to ensure all aspects of OSHA's standards are followed."
Fourteen serious safety violations were cited with a penalty of $59,928 for failure to inspect the scaffold and its components for defects; ensure the suspension scaffold device could rest on surfaces capable of supporting at least four times the load; protect workers with adequate fall protection; train workers to recognize the hazards associated with the use of shackles as anchor devices on supporting surfaces; and provide a safety and health program that includes hazard prevention and control. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
A repeat citation with a penalty of $9,240 was issued for failing to equip the load end of the wire suspension rope with thimbles. The thimbles can prevent the wire from pitching and abrading while preventing the load from coming into direct contact with the wire. OSHA cited the company in September 2010 for failing to meet the agency's safety standard for scaffolding. A repeat citation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.


Need Safety Training?  Visit http://safetyhelpers.com/

Florida Firefighter Hospitalized in Chemical Fire

Florida Firefighter Hospitalized in Chemical Fire
by Melissa Harrold - Story by safetyhelpers.com

January 21, 2011

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. --
Nine people were treated for smoke inhalation after a chemical fire broke out Friday morning at a Deerfield Beach cosmetic manufacturer.  At about 10 a.m., Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue received a report of a fire at Oxygen Development at 1441 W. Newport Center Drive. John Quintoni, of Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue, said firefighters arrived to find a 55-gallon drum on fire in a lab.
According to fire officials, crews quickly extinguished the chemical fire. Eight workers and a firefighter were taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation. About 200 employees were evacuated from the building, and they were checked out for injuries related to the chemicals or smoke inhalation.
Quintoni said testing would have to be done to identify the chemical involved in the fire.
The American Red Cross and the Community Emergency Response Team were at the scene, as were about 22 emergency vehicles, according to Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue.

FL DOT awards $2.19 million contract to repair bridge damaged Friday in fatal tanker crash.

FL DOT awards $2.19 million contract to repair bridge damaged Friday in fatal tanker crash.

 Watch Video

Eastbound Beachline Reopens After Tanker Explosion @ Yahoo! Video

Construction to repair a BeachLine Expressway overpass damaged by a deadly tanker fire will cause headaches for motorists traveling between the Space Coast and downtown Orlando for nearly a month, officials said.

The Florida Department of Transportation awarded a construction contract todayto repair the bridge at North Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island in 25 days.

FDOT spokesman Steve Olson said that Lane Construction beat two other bidders to win a $2.19 million contract for replacing both spans of an overpass along the BeachLine. The company pledged to have the thoroughfare ready for traffic in less than a month.

Construction began today on the charred roadway, where two drivers were killed Friday afternoon in an explosive crash involving a gas tanker and a pickup. Crews working on the round-the-clock project have to demolish and rebuild two support beams that were damaged, said FDOT engineer Frank O'Dea.

Scaffolding Violations Lead to Florida Stucco Contractor's $41,200 Fine

Scaffolding Violations Lead to Florida Stucco Contractor's $41,200 Fine

"The dangers of scaffolding can be controlled by adhering to OSHA standards, but this company continues to expose its workers to unnecessary hazards," said Darlene Fossum, OSHA area director in Fort Lauderdale.

• Jan 19, 2011

OSHA has issued Westport Stucco of southern Florida nine safety citations and $41,200 in penalties following an inspection of the company's site in Cooper City, Fla.
OSHA is issuing four repeat safety citations with $34,800 in fines for failing to initiate and maintain a corporate safety program that complies with OSHA standards, failing to fully plank each working level of scaffolds, failing to equip scaffolds with guardrails, and using scaffolds that were not inspected by a competent person. A repeat violation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
Four serious citations are being issued with fines of $6,400 for failing to place planking of a scaffolding over a support, to properly brace scaffolds, erect toe boards to prevent falling objects from striking employees beneath the scaffolds, and have a competent person inspect scaffolds after they have been erected, moved, dismantled, or altered. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
"The dangers of scaffolding can be controlled by adhering to OSHA standards, but this company continues to expose its workers to unnecessary hazards," said Darlene Fossum, OSHA area director in Fort Lauderdale.
Detailed information on scaffold hazards and safe work practices, including an interactive e-Tool, is available online at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/scaffolding/index.html.