The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Atlanta, GA, based contractor Martin-Pinero CPM LLC for exposing employees to fall hazards. An employee suffered a fatal accident at a highway construction project in Atlanta, where the employee was attempting to install permanent metal decking on the I-400/I-285 fly over bridge ramp.
The agency cited the contractor for failing to ensure employees used a horizontal lifeline system and fall protection as required. The also cited the contractor for failing to secure metal decking before letting workers use it as a walking surface, for failing to provide fall protection training and for failing to conduct regular job site inspections to ensure the use of all applicable safety measures. This inspection was in conjunction with the agency’s “Regional Emphasis Program on Falls in Construction”.
“Allowing employees to work at heights without using proper fall protection methods increases the risk of serious of fatal injuries,” said OSHA Atlanta-West Area Office Director Jeffery Stawowy. “Employers have an obligation to ensure the working conditions they ask employees to operate under are free of recognized hazards.”
OSHA provides a Fall Protection webpage which contains information on fall protection standards in construction, and resources on protecting workers from falls.
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