New York Contractor Fined for Hazardous Working Conditions

Painting and Decorating Inc., a contractor providing painting and stucco services in New York, could face up to $225,000 in fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a number of scaffolding safety violations were discovered at two job sites in Kings Point.

These weren’t minor infractions, either. These were very serious, very preventable safety issues. The kinds of violations found at the Kings Point job sites included:

• failure to replace missing railings, bracing and toeboards
• failure to ensure that scaffolds had the correct amount of planks
• failure to offer works protection from falls at either job site

The list goes on.

This isn’t the first time Painting and Decorating Inc. has received violations for OSHA for hazardous working conditions. In fact, the company received similar admonishments in both 2007 and 2008.

Obviously, they aren’t taking the hint.

Hundreds of construction accidents occur every year, yet employers seem intent on continuing to push the limits of safety. OSHA gets in and levies fines, but if the fines don’t work, then what?

That’s why we need the civil justice system!  So that a jury can hold companies like this accountable under New York Labor Law section 240 or 241(6) and other workplace safety rules for the full amount of the harm they inflict on construction workers. Jury awards are one of the best ways to encourage safer construction practices.

Source Article

• Painting Contractor Fined $225,200 for Scaffold, Fall Hazards (Occupational Health & Safety)