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U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $48,000 in penalties against two South Florida contractors
Inspection followed injury of employees at Aventura Site

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed penalties of $43,000 against West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Southland Forming and $5,000 against Dania Beach, Fla.-based KMC Masonry for multiple safety violations at the Peninsula II construction site in Aventura, Fla.

"Our referral inspection followed an Oct. 4, 2006, concrete shoring collapse that injured five employees," said Darlene Fossum, OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale. "These companies have placed the lives of employees at risk by creating unsafe working conditions and not providing proper safety training."

OSHA proposes six serious citations, with proposed penalties of $42,000, for, among other violations, improperly designing the shoring for stairway floor openings, failing to properly place support jacks, placing uneven loads on jacks and posts, and not properly training employees to recognize and avoid hazards. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

OSHA issued one other-than-serious citation, with a proposed $1,000 penalty, because Southland Forming failed to properly maintain OSHA Form 300, a log for reporting work-related injuries and illnesses.

KMC Masonry received two serious citations, with proposed penalties totaling $5,000, for not training employees to recognize and avoid hazards, and not keeping them clear of suspended loads of blocks.

Both companies have 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's office in Fort Lauderdale, 8040 Peters Road, Building H-100, telephone (954) 424-0242.

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 the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information about trenching safety and other safe work practices, visit www.osha.gov.

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