ConDig (31-May-17).  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined three contractors a total of $193,750 for healthy and safety breaches on the Imperial Pacific Resort Casino being built in Garapan, which is in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands, a US territory in the Pacific.

It comes as OSHA issued citations for inadequate fall protection, unsecured scaffolding, unprotected crane operation areas, unguarded machines and failure to notify the administration about a work-related amputation.

MCC International Saipan Ltd. Co, the prime contractor for the Imperial Pacific casino project, was cited with 10 violations and $81,484 in proposed penalties.

OSHA said that investigators found workers exposed to uncovered holes and additional hazardous areas around crane operations, while the company also failed to notify the administration of a work-related amputation and did not report other workers’ injuries as required.

OSHA also hit MCC’s subcontractor, Nanjing BeiLiDa New Materials System Engineering Co., with $81,483 in proposed penalties for 10 violations. These included unsecured compressed gas cylinders, damaged snap hooks on fall protection lanyards and multiple scaffolding-related hazards.

Another subcontractor, Gold Mantis Construction Decoration, Saipan LLC, was cited with four safety violations that carry $30,783 in proposed penalties for failure to enforce the use of eye and face protection, unguarded machinery and the use of a fiber sling with frayed fibers to lift large steel beams.

The three contractors have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or challenge the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

“Workplace safety is a critical component for a growing US economy to reach its full potential,” said Barbara Goto, OSHA’s regional administrator in San Francisco.

“This case serves as a good reminder for companies large and small to be mindful of workplace hazards and to do what it is necessary and required to protect those on the front lines of growth.”

Officials for Imperial Pacific Resort’s $550 million hotel-casino in Garapan said earlier this year that construction had been progressing smoothly, with over 2,000 workers laboring around-the-clock to ensure early completion.

The fourteen story building has 340 hotel suites and 14 opulent villas. The casino is set to contain 350 slot machines and 200 gaming tables.