Construction contractors from Lebanon and Lancaster counties cited by OSHA for exposing workers to fall hazards

Employer names: Arthur Funk & Sons Inc., a commercial and institutional building construction contractor located at 1405 Birch Road, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and Weaver Construction and Roofing Inc., a roofing contractor located at 4873 Division Highway, East Earl, Pennsylvania.

The inspected worksite was located at 844 Tuck Street, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where construction of a new cancer center for Good Samaritan Hospital is underway. Funk was the general contractor and Weaver was a subcontractor to Funk.

Citations issued: On Sept. 30, 2015, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued Arthur Funk & Sons one willful citation, and Weaver Construction and Roofing one willful and two serious citations.

Investigation findings: On July 30, 2015, an OSHA compliance officer observed employees of both companies working without fall protection and exposed to a 13-foot fall, prompting the investigation. OSHA issued willful citations to both employers for an unprotected fall hazard of 10 to 13 feet. Additionally, Weaver was cited for two serious citations for scaffolding hazards.

Proposed penalties: $42,350 for Arthur Funk & Sons Inc. $49,600 for Weaver Construction and Roofing Inc.

Quote: "Arthur Funk was recently cited for fall hazards at this same worksite, and Weaver Construction was cited for fall protection hazards three years ago. These companies are fully aware that fall protection is critical to saving lives, yet they continue to expose their employees to hazards that can lead to serious injury or death," said Kevin Kilp, OSHA's area director in Harrisburg. "Falls can be prevented and lives can be saved by planning ahead to get the job done safely, providing the right equipment, and training everyone to use the equipment safely."

View the citations:

• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/WeaverConstruction_1081298.pdf
• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Funk_1081297.pdf

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, 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 Harrisburg Area Office at 717-782-3902.