Florida-based contractor exposes its workers to 200-foot falls and silica dust at two work sites; OSHA cites company for serious safety and health hazards

Employer name: Maxim Construction Group Corp. of Hallandale Beach, Florida.

Inspection sites: 230 174th Street Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160 1400 S. Ocean Drive, Hollywood, Florida 33019

Date investigation initiated: OSHA initiated the October 2, 2014 safety and health inspections after receiving complaints alleging fall hazards at two work sites.

Investigation findings: The company was contracted to restore the concrete finish on high-rise apartment buildings. OSHA issued 17 serious citations to the employer for exposing workers to falls of more than 200 feet due to scaffolding that was improperly assembled and secured to the building. Additionally, the employer did not properly inspect the scaffolding prior to each use and did not develop a written respiratory protection program for workers exposed to silica while restoring concrete. Other violations include the employer's failure to implement a hearing conservation program for workers exposed to high noise levels. A serious violation occurs 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.

Quote: "Maxim Construction endangered the lives of its employees as they worked high off the ground from scaffolds that weren't assembled correctly," said Condell Eastmond, director of OSHA's Fort Lauderdale Area Office. "This company needs to review its safety procedures and make immediate changes. We will continue to hold companies accountable and issue citations for safety violations that threaten worker's safety and health."

Proposed Penalties: $119,000

View citations here: https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Maxim_Construction_Group_Inspections_998264_998175_1016447_1016478.pdf

Maxim Construction has 15 business days from receipt of its 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 Fort Lauderdale Area Office at 954-424-0242.