.png)
The contractor in charge of reconstruction of a bridge in Providence, Rhode Island is facing federal fines for safety violations, according to The Valley Breeze. S&R/Pihl is a joint venture in charge of the project for the Pawtucket River Bridge project. According to officials from the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the site failed to have adequate rescue procedures for fall hazards. The site lacked the equipment necessary to protect workers from falling as far as 90 feet. The violation was cited as willful and fines total $56,000.
“If employees fall from a high angle and are suspended by their personal fall arrest systems, or they need to be evacuated from elevated work areas due to an emergency, then time is of the utmost essence in rescuing them,” said OSHA’s regional director Patrick Griffin. “Rescue measures, including appropriate equipment, must be available and ready to be out into use immediately. Despite being informed of this requirement, S&R/Pihl has thus far refused to take steps to abate this hazard to its employees.”
Falls are one of the most common workplace accidents. There is no excuse for a contractor on a bridge project to not have all safety measure in place. Contact an attorney today if you have been injured on the job and need to file for workers comp.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus workers comp attorneys.