U.S. Department of Labor Cites New Jersey Construction Companies For Exposing Employees to Fall, Other Safety Hazards

MARLTON, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited AA& B Builders Inc. and Ebenezer General Construction Excavating for exposing employees to safety hazards on a worksite in Ewing, New Jersey. The companies face a combined total of $148,264 in proposed penalties.

OSHA’s Marlton Area Office initiated an inspection on February 27, 2020, under its local emphasis program for fall hazards in construction, when a compliance officer observed employees exposed to hazards involving falls, electrical cords, and scaffolding on the job site. The agency cited AA&B Builders, the general contractor on the worksite, for four repeat and six serious violations for the safety hazards, and proposed $97,542 in penalties. Ebenezer received citations for 10 serious violations and $50,722 in proposed penalties.

“Construction is a high-hazard industry, so employers must provide all of the necessary safeguards to protect workers from serious or fatal injuries,” said OSHA Marlton Area Director Paula Dixon-Roderick.

OSHA’s Construction Industry webpage includes several compliance assistance resources on protecting workers from industry-related hazards.

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s Area Director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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 help 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 https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.