ConDig (11-Nov-22). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined two demolition contracts a total of $691,000 following a mezzanine collapse at former South Boston power plant.
The agency said that it had cited NorthStar Contracting Group Inc. and Suffolk Construction Inc for willful violations of workplace safety standards.
OSHA fined NorthStar Contracting $399,864 after failing to conduct an engineering survey to determine the condition of the mezzanine and framing, and floors and walls during demolition operations to avoid the possibility of unplanned collapse.
It also failed to ensure a designated competent person performed or supervised required duties in the asbestos containment area; post the safe weight load limit on the mezzanine floor where demolition and asbestos debris was being stored and train employees adequately to recognize and avoid collapse, struck-by, and crushing hazards.
OSHA also said that NorthStar Contracting did not ensure employees entering and working in regulated asbestos containment areas wore respirators.
The agency issued two willful and three serious citations to Suffolk Construction and proposed a fine of $292,116 for failing to inspect the contractor’s work in the asbestos regulated containment area to ensure compliance with all aspects of the asbestos standard.
OSHA also said that the contractor failed to ensure employees wearing respirators inside regulated asbestos containment areas and have a plan in place to prevent an unplanned collapse of the mezzanine.
“The employers in this case exposed employees to the immediate hazard of structural collapse and the potential long-term consequences of asbestos exposure. These hazards are preventable and employers can control and eliminate them. Had they ensured proper planning – including engineering surveys and frequent and regular jobsite inspections, effective safety procedures, personal protective equipment and employee training – was in place, this incident and the violations that followed might have been avoided,” said OSHA area director James Mulligan in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Each employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Last month, OSHA fined a developer and two subcontractors for exposing employees to potentially lethal dangers by allowing them to work near energized power lines on a New Jersey project.
Earlier in October, OSHA fined a Missouri-based contractor $58,008 following a deadly trench collapse.
OSHA fines two demo contractors in Boston
ConDig (11-Nov-22). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined two demolition contracts a total of $691,000 following a mezzanine collapse at former South Boston power plant.
The agency said that it had cited NorthStar Contracting Group Inc. and Suffolk Construction Inc for willful violations of workplace safety standards.
OSHA fined NorthStar Contracting $399,864 after failing to conduct an engineering survey to determine the condition of the mezzanine and framing, and floors and walls during demolition operations to avoid the possibility of unplanned collapse.
It also failed to ensure a designated competent person performed or supervised required duties in the asbestos containment area; post the safe weight load limit on the mezzanine floor where demolition and asbestos debris was being stored and train employees adequately to recognize and avoid collapse, struck-by, and crushing hazards.
OSHA also said that NorthStar Contracting did not ensure employees entering and working in regulated asbestos containment areas wore respirators.
The agency issued two willful and three serious citations to Suffolk Construction and proposed a fine of $292,116 for failing to inspect the contractor’s work in the asbestos regulated containment area to ensure compliance with all aspects of the asbestos standard.
OSHA also said that the contractor failed to ensure employees wearing respirators inside regulated asbestos containment areas and have a plan in place to prevent an unplanned collapse of the mezzanine.
“The employers in this case exposed employees to the immediate hazard of structural collapse and the potential long-term consequences of asbestos exposure. These hazards are preventable and employers can control and eliminate them. Had they ensured proper planning – including engineering surveys and frequent and regular jobsite inspections, effective safety procedures, personal protective equipment and employee training – was in place, this incident and the violations that followed might have been avoided,” said OSHA area director James Mulligan in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Each employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Last month, OSHA fined a developer and two subcontractors for exposing employees to potentially lethal dangers by allowing them to work near energized power lines on a New Jersey project.
Earlier in October, OSHA fined a Missouri-based contractor $58,008 following a deadly trench collapse.