Lancaster company fined by OSHA

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/01/14/daily46.html

Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 3:15 PM EST

Erie Interstate Contractors Inc. of Lancaster will pay for violations uncovered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration while employees worked on a project in Boston.

Erie Interstate was charged by OSHA along with Barletta Heavy Division Inc., of Canton, Mass. Investigators, responding to a complaint, began inspecting the work of the contractors last July. The companies were hired to remove lead paint from structural steel supports for piers surrounding the Boston World Trade Center.

OSHA's investigation found that employees of both contractors were exposed to falls and possible drowning in Boston Harbor.

Erie Interstate workers also faced overexposure to, and inadequate control of, lead and other hazardous substances generated during paint removal operations. Additional dangers involved insufficient and incomplete lead monitoring; lack of training and eye protection; poor hazard communication; electric shock hazards; and inadequate respiratory protection.

"A fall into water carries dual dangers - impact and drowning - which must be addressed through proper fall protection and effective worker training," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director in Braintree, Mass. "Similarly, effective safeguards against lead are necessary since long-term overexposure can damage the kidneys, blood-forming organs and nervous system."

Erie Interstate was cited for one willful and 24 serious violations, totaling $89,100 in proposed fines. Barletta was cited for two willful and six serious violations of safety and health standards carrying a total of $110,000 in proposed fines.

OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Each company has 15 business days to respond to OSHA.