OSHA Penalties Against Kennesaw Contractor Top $500,000 After Latest Inspections

Thursday, April 14, 2016 | 0

A Georgia-based construction company has racked up $516,000 in penalties after U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors found 24 violations in 13 inspections since 2009, OSHA said Wednesday.

After the latest inspection of Jacksonville, Fla., job site in November, OSHA cited Jasper Contractors Inc. for four willful safety violations with proposed penalties of $280,000. OSHA said it had also cited the company for similar violations last October and proposed $140,000 in penalties.

Most of the violations involved a lack of fall and eye protection, OSHA said. Inspectors found the employer did not ensure employees were properly wearing fall protection equipment and exposed workers to the risk of falls from as high as eight feet. They also found the employer failed to ensure workers operating powered nail guns used eye protection.

"Despite its claim that its employees 'are adults who know the risks,' Jasper Contractors has a legal responsibility to protect its employees," said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA's area director in Jacksonville. "This company's dismissive approach toward workplace safety is illegal and irresponsible. OSHA will continue to use all its available resources to ensure workers are protected."

Based in Kennesaw, Ga., Jasper Contractors specializes in residential and commercial roofing. It also has offices serving Atlanta; Baton Rouge, La.; Evansville, Ind.; and Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa, Fla.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.