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An Ohio construction company is facing fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after an investigation found the business was at fault for the death of a 35-year-old worker. The Columbus-based company was cited by OSHA for crushed by and struck by hazards present on its worksite.
Earlier this year in January, a worker died while servicing an overpass near I-75. OSHA’s investigation revealed the company had not properly inspected the overpass before placing heavy machinery on it, causing the fatal collapse. The accident in January is considered one of the “fatal four” types of construction accidents, along with falls, electrocutions, and being struck by objects.
How Can Ohio Construction Companies Improve Workplace Safety?
According to OSHA statistics, about 6.5 million construction workers currently operate within the United States. By looking at OSHA’s most frequent reasons for citing companies, it may be easier to discover how to improve workplace safety measures.
In the construction industry, OSHA frequently cites businesses for lacking fall protection, violating scaffolding regulations, failing to meet excavation requirements and poor hazard communication. It is up to businesses to improve workplace conditions so workers are not put in danger. Proper communication, using and providing safe equipment and ensuring proper fall protections are in place can help save lives.
Presently, the construction industry has more fatal workplace accidents than any other type of occupation. In 2013, 828 of the 4,101 fatal workplace accidents were in the construction industry.
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Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC – Columbus Workers’ Comp Lawyer