OSHA investigations find New Jersey contractor failing to provide fall protection for employees at 4 Lehigh Valley worksites

Employer name: Station Builders Inc.
Cinnaminson, New Jersey

Inspection sites: Maple Shade Estates, Lot 36
Easton, Pennsylvania2020 Washington Blvd.

Easton, Pennsylvania
617 - 619 Irving St.
Allentown, Pennsylvania

1325 Chelsea Ave.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Citations issued: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued three willful, four repeat, and six serious safety citations on Sept. 23, 2016, to Station Builders Inc., a construction contractor.

Investigation findings: Two inspections in Easton – one initiated on April 8, 2016, and the other on May 25, 2016 – and one inspection in Allentown initiated on June 9, 2016, were in response to OSHA compliance officers observing Station Builder employees in imminent danger conditions. The inspections were also initiated as part of OSHA’s Regional Emphasis Program on Fall Hazards in the Construction Industry.

The Bethlehem inspection began June 22, 2016, under OSHA’s Construction Targeting Program.

The company did not provide fall protection at all four worksites and received the willful citations.

The repeat citations involved the employer’s failure to provide personal protective equipment, improper use of portable ladders at the worksites, and conduct frequent and regular worksite inspections.

OSHA issued the serious citations for lack of fall protection and personal protective equipment, and improper use of portable ladders.

Quote: “Since November 2015, OSHA offices in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have inspected Station Builders’ work sites and issued citations 16 times. In each case, the violations included preventable hazards related to lack of fall protection,” said Jean Kulp, director of OSHA’s Allentown Area Office. “The company can easily eliminate the hazards by using readily available and reusable personal protective equipment, or by making simple modifications to its work practices, yet it continues to expose workers to dangerous conditions. This will not be tolerated by OSHA”

Proposed penalties: $291,997

The citations can be viewed at:

• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/StationBuildersInc1138549.pdf  
• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/StationBuildersInc1157012.pdf  
• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/StationBuildersInc1155798.pdf  
• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/StationBuildersInc1150159.pdf

The employer 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 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 Allentown Area Office at 267-429-7542.

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.