A series of inspections by the U.S. Department of Labor has found a Newark-based construction contractor defying federal safety regulations by exposing employees to more than 20 violations, including potentially deadly falls, at six southern and central New Jersey work sites in early 2023.
INSPECTIONS
Workplace safety and health inspections by the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration identified 21 Main Line Contractor Corp. violations in Berlin, Cape May, Lakewood, Mount Holly and Mount Laurel.
Many of the violations related to the framing and sheathing company's failure to provide or require protective equipment to prevent falls from elevations greater than 6 feet, the construction industry's leading cause of death.
INTENTIONAL EXPOSURE
In January 2023, OSHA opened its initial investigation in Mount Laurel under the agency's Falls and followed that with five more inspections at Main Line work sites in January, February, and March. OSHA discovered the company intentionally exposed employees to falls of up to 30 feet by not providing them with the required personal protective equipment or ensuring employees used fall protection on site when available.
PENALTIES
OSHA cited the company for 17 serious and four willful violations and proposed $333,052 in penalties.
"After our inspection identified violations at the Mount Laurel job site, the company continued to defy the law and put their employees at risk of serious debilitating injuries or worse," said OSHA Area Director Paula Dixon-Roderick in Marlton, New Jersey. "Main Line must bring their company into compliance immediately before tragedy strikes."
Incorporated in 2022, Main Line Contractor Corp. provides framing and sheathing services at residential construction sites throughout New Jersey.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
OSHA's website includes information on developing a workplace safety and health program, that applies to all workplaces. OSHA also offers free work-specific tools.
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Jon L. Gelman of Wayne, NJ, is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters). For over five decades, the Law Offices of Jon L Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com has represented injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.
Blog: Workers ' Compensation
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