OSHA News Release, U.S. DOL; Construction Company Cited $70,000 for Lack of Fall Protection During Maintenance of Building Resulting in Fatal Fall

Taken from http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=17163

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Pittsburgh construction company for lack of fall protection following worker's death PITTSBURGH -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Mariani & Richards Inc. for failing to protect workers from falls on a construction site following the investigation of a worker who fell 225 feet to  his death. OSHA began its investigation on Aug. 18, 2009, and found that Mariani & Richards did not provide workers with any fall protection while they were performing maintenance on The Pennsylvanian Building, a historic landmark in downtown Pittsburgh. As a result of the investigation, the company has been cited with one willful violation and a proposed penalty of $70,000. "This company was cited for the same violation in November 2007 but never took the proper steps to ensure workers were safe at this worksite, resulting in this tragedy," said Robert Szymanski, director of OSHA's Pittsburgh office. "OSHA will not tolerate employers who flagrantly ignore the regulations designed to protect workers on the job." OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. Detailed information about fall hazards and safeguards is available on OSHA's Web site at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/construction.html. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA's Pittsburgh Area Office; telephone: 412-395-4903. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742. 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 assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/index.html.