OSHA fines two companies more than $200,000 following dangerous worker fall

September 6th, 2018 by Dakota Software Staff

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently stressed a general emphasis on compliance assistance as opposed to enforcement. However, OSHA also made it clear that it won't shy away from enforcing health and safety regulations and the penalties that accompany them, especially when workers are injured or killed on the job. A fall of roughly 30 feet and hospitalization for a worker at an industrial plant in Alabama led to an investigation on the part of the federal regulator, which ultimately resulted in the issuance of more than $200,000 in fines for the two companies involved.

Worker's 30-foot fall triggers major OSHA penalties

"The total fines for the two companies exceed $200,000."

The business, located in northwest Alabama, focuses on recycling reclaimable metals from industrial waste streams. The second business involved in OSHA's action provides engineering support and staff to other companies in the form of various specialized services. Part of some workers' duties include working at heights far above the facility floor, which led to the accident that triggered the investigation. State news source AL.com reported the services company faces a total fine of $175,528, while the facility operator could have to pay as much as $28,270.

Manufacturing.net reported the services company was fined the maximum amount possible for putting employees in a position where they could be hurt by falls from dangerous heights. Other issues that led to the total fine amount included a failure to conduct appropriate atmospheric testing before employees entered a confined space and ensure access to emergency services when an employee works inside a permit-required confined space. The company operating the facility faces fines for confined space violations as well as the fall hazard.

"Both companies' failure to comply with fall prevention requirements led to a serious injury that could have been prevented," said Ramona Morris, OSHA area director, according to AL.com.

As is standard in instances where OSHA issues a fine, the companies involved have three options. They can pay the fine in full, request an informal conference with the area OSHA official in charge, or contest the findings in a more formal setting before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Companies need to remember that while OSHA's focus has shifted in recent months, it will still vigorously pursue sanctions in instances where employees suffer avoidable harm while on the job.