US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Norcross, Ga., contractor for exposing workers to repeat fall hazards; proposes $84,700 in penalties

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited SEI Group of Norcross with four repeat safety violations for exposing workers to fall hazards while they were wrapping insulation material for a new residence located in Alpharetta's Castleberry Estates. OSHA initiated an inspection in June as part of the agency's Local Emphasis Program on Falls in Construction.

The violations involve failing to ensure workers were using fall protection when engaged in residential construction, trained to recognize fall hazards and did not access work areas when using a ladder that did not extend above the landing surface at least 3 feet. Additionally, the company did not train workers on proper construction use, placement and care of ladders. Proposed penalties total $84,700. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. Similar violations were cited at a company work site in Suwanee in May 2012.

"Falls continue to be a leading cause of workplace fatalities in the construction industry," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. "Employers have a responsibility to ensure that workers exposed to fall hazards are provided with fall protection equipment appropriate for the job, trained in its use and wear it at all times a fall hazard is present."

In April, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced a campaign to provide employers and workers with lifesaving information and educational materials about working safely from ladders, scaffolds and roofs in an effort to prevent deadly falls in the construction industry. In 2010, more than 10,000 construction workers were injured as a result of falling while working from heights, and more than 250 workers were killed. OSHA's fall prevention campaign was developed in partnership with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda program. More detailed information on fall protection standards is available in English and Spanish at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls.

This company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Atlanta-East office at 770-493-6644.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.