Legal news for New York construction accident attorneys –OSHA fined New York construction company for violations of health regulations in a plant with toxic chemical substances and electrical hazards.
Albany, NY (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) www.osha.gov has cited Cranesville Block Company for alleged repeated violations of safety and health standards at a plant in Kingston, New York.
OSHA decided to fine the company foe repeated health and safety inspections prompted by employee complaints and concerns. Employees reported concerns for their own safety when it came to chemical and electrical hazards, and the lack of required protective equipment. When OSHA inspectors went to probe the scene at the plant, they found blocked exits, workers not wearing protective gear while working with toxic chemical substances, electrical equipment that was not labeled and exposed electrical parts with moisture in the equipment.
OSHA had already cited the company twice for violating safety and health regulations; with $27,500 in fines for lack of employee personal protective gear and unlabeled containers of chemicals. In 2009, Cranesville Block Co. was cited for similar matters at two of their other locations in Fishkill and Glens Falls. In the most recent violations at the Kingston plant, OSHA issued the company six serious violations and $18,000 in fines, which were issued due to the potential life-threatening and injurious situations that could occur at the location as a result of the dangerous work environment.
“The serious and recurring nature of these hazards is disturbing,” said Edward Jerome, OSHA’s area director in Albany. “Employees at this plant are exposed to the hazards of electrocution, burns, eye and hand injuries, and being unable to swiftly exit the workplace in the event of a fire or other emergency. This employer must address these hazards effectively and continually now and in the future.”
Bridget Hom
www.NewYorkInjuryNews.com