Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
News Brief
Workers of four Florida contractors face dangerous fall hazards at Jacksonville job site, OSHA proposes nearly $145K in fines
Employer’s names: John Whigham Sheeting Inc.
Ezzo Construction LLC
S.A. Robinson Construction
KB Home Florida LLC
Inspection site: Abby Glen subdivision, Jacksonville, Florida 32257
Citations issued: Citations were issued to the employers on Feb. 17.
Investigation findings: Inspectors with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration observed employees installing roofing sheathing without fall protection and cited the companies with five safety violations. This inspection fell under OSHA’s Regional Emphasis Program on Falls in Construction.
John Whigham was issued one willful citation for failing to provide fall protection equipment for employees working from heights up to 9 feet. Ezzo Construction and S.A. Robinson were each issued a repeat citation and KB Home a serious citation for the same violation that exposed workers to falls up to 18 feet.
OSHA also cited Ezzo with a serious violation for not properly extending a ladder.
Proposed penalties: $144,830
Quote: “Florida home builders must understand that successful project management requires safety and production schedules as equally important,” said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA’s area director in Jacksonville. “Unfortunately, this inspection is another example of multi-layers of construction management turning a blind eye to safety in the name of production.”
The citations can be viewed at: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/KBHomeFlorida_LLC_dba_KB_Home_Jacksonville_LLC_1092008_02192016.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/EZZOConstructionInc_1088539_02192016.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/John_Whigham_SheetingInc_1088065_02192016.pdf
The companies have 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 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 Jacksonville Area Office at 904-232-2895.