OSHA finds workers exposed to falls, electric shock, other hazards at pre-cast concrete structure manufacturer following complaint, injury

Employer name: The Turner Company LLP

Inspection site: 11049 South U.S. Hwy 287, Rhome, Texas 76078

Citations issued: July 29, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration began an inspection at The Turner Company LLP facility on April 5, 2016, after the agency received a report of injury and a complaint about unsafe working conditions at the Rhome facility. OSHA cited the company for two repeat and 15 serious health and safety violations. The repeat violations were cited for not keeping restrooms clean or in a sanitary condition and not having protective covers on receptacle gang boxes and switches exposing live electrical wiring.

The serious violations produced citations for:

• Not providing basic information about respirators to employees.
• Not keeping the yard and work areas clean and sanitary
• Not guarding holes in floors, or guarding open sided floors and platforms.
• Fixed ladder violations such as ladder rungs not 12 inches consistently, hand rails not extending above the work platform and incomplete safety cages.
• Missing rail sweeps and trolley bumpers on overhead cranes.
• Electrical violations such as unused opening, panels not marked and not rated for wet locations.
• Not marking or tagging hazardous chemicals containers.

Proposed Penalties: $99,248

Quote: “Falls are the most cited violations in Texas and are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry,” said Jack A. Rector, OSHA’s Area Director in Fort Worth. “It is extremely important that The Turner Company correct the fall hazards before another worker is hurt or worse.”

Link to the citations:

• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/TheTurnerCompanyLLP_1138055.pdf
• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/TheTurnerCompanyLLP_1138801.pdf

Information: the company, which manufactures different types of pre-cast concrete structures, producing septic tanks, grease traps, storm cellars and manholes. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and penalties 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 Worth Area Office at 817-581-7303.