Magnifying Glass
Back to Sponsored Content

Drowning Hazards Prompt $180,000 In OSHA Fines

07 Apr, 2009 WorkersCompensation.com

                               
Hartford, CT (CompNewsNetwork) - The contractor rebuilding a bridge over the Housatonic River in the Falls Village section of Canaan, Conn., has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for 13 alleged willful and serious violations of construction safety standards.

The Brunalli Construction Co. of Southington, Conn., faces $180,950 in proposed fines for allegedly failing to protect its employees against fall, drowning and other hazards at the Route 7 jobsite.

A December 2008 OSHA inspection found employees exposed to falls of up to 43 feet into the river while working without fall protection on unprotected or inadequately guarded sections of the bridge and using an access ladder of inadequate height. They also were exposed to drowning hazards due to the lack of life jackets, ring buoys and a lifesaving skiff that are required to be used and readily available on site when employees work over water.

"The significant hazard of a four-story plunge was exacerbated by the lack of required lifesaving rescue equipment," said C. William Freeman III, OSHA's area director in Hartford. "While it's fortunate no fall or drowning occurred, the potential for a fatal or serious accident was real and present at this jobsite."

As a result, OSHA issued Brunalli Construction three willful citations, with $147,000 in proposed fines, for the fall, drowning and ladder hazards and 10 serious citations, with $33,950 in proposed fines, for additional fall-related hazards, puncture and laceration hazards from a damaged cable guardrail system, no hardhats for employees exposed to overhead hazards, amputation and laceration hazards from unguarded grinders, and no trained emergency responders on site.

OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.

Brunalli Construction has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote 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.

    • Read Also

    IOH Announces Appointment of Scott Strickland as Chief Operating Officer (COO) 

    SAN DIEGO, CA — July 1, 2024 — Institutes of Health (“IOH”), a leading transdisciplinary Workers’ Compensation treatment organization focused on patients suffering from complex and chronic conditions, is delighted to announce the appointment of […]
    Rising Medical Solutions Becomes Bronze Associate Partner of WorkCompCollege.com 

    Lakewood Ranch, FL (July 2, 2024) – WorkCompCollege.com, a division of Workers’ Compensation Educational Services, LLC, has announced a Bronze Associate Partnership with Rising Medical Solutions (Rising). Their mission to “make lives better” is consistent […]
    The Key Role of a Workers’ Comp Case Manager 

    Close attention through the claim lifecycle ensures the best claimant outcomes   In the world of workers’ compensation, where endless variables seem to be at play, Horizon Casualty Services, Inc., (HCS) acknowledges that having a clear […]

    About The Author

    • WorkersCompensation.com

    More by This Author

    Ametros’ Melissa Coleman Honored by the IAIABC as a 2024 NextGen Winner

    Wilmington, Mass. (June 24, 2024) – The IAIABC has recognized Melissa Coleman as a 2024 NextGen Award Winner. Coleman is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Ametros, which helps people manage their medical funds following workers’ […]
    ReEmployAbility Announces Free Webinar: ‘Overcoming Jurisdictional Return-to-Work Challenges’

    ReEmployAbility, Inc.Contact: Rebecca Dearth(813) 261-3117 | news@reemployability.com Brandon, FL (May 10, 2023)- ReEmployAbility CEO and Founder Debra Livingston will be hosting a second free, live Work Comp Central webinar in their continued series to educate […]
    NCCI Annual Golf Event Tees Up $25,000 for Kids’ Chance of America

    (Orlando, FL–May 10, 2023)—The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has given $25,000 to Kids’ Chance of America, supporting college scholarships for the children of injured workers. NCCI made the donation in conjunction with its Annual […]

    Read More

    IOH Announces Appointment of Scott Strickland as Chief Operating Officer (COO) 

    SAN DIEGO, CA — July 1, 2024 — Institutes of Health (“IOH”), a leading transdisciplinary Workers’ Compensation treatment organization focused on patients suffering from complex and chronic conditions, is delighted to announce the appointment of […]
    Rising Medical Solutions Becomes Bronze Associate Partner of WorkCompCollege.com 

    Lakewood Ranch, FL (July 2, 2024) – WorkCompCollege.com, a division of Workers’ Compensation Educational Services, LLC, has announced a Bronze Associate Partnership with Rising Medical Solutions (Rising). Their mission to “make lives better” is consistent […]
    The Key Role of a Workers’ Comp Case Manager 

    Close attention through the claim lifecycle ensures the best claimant outcomes   In the world of workers’ compensation, where endless variables seem to be at play, Horizon Casualty Services, Inc., (HCS) acknowledges that having a clear […]
    Ametros’ Melissa Coleman Honored by the IAIABC as a 2024 NextGen Winner

    Wilmington, Mass. (June 24, 2024) – The IAIABC has recognized Melissa Coleman as a 2024 NextGen Award Winner. Coleman is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Ametros, which helps people manage their medical funds following workers’ […]
    PhysNet Achieves Fifth Consecutive Year of SOC 2 Type II Certification

    Jacksonville, FL, June 3, 2024 – PhysNet proudly announces its attainment of SOC 2 Type II compliance for the fifth consecutive year, reinforcing its commitment to providing enterprise-level security for customer data within its cloud-based […]
    WorkCompCollege.com Welcomes Alistair Ienstein as New Academic Innovator 

    June 20, 2024 – WorkCompCollege.com is thrilled to announce the appointment of Alistair Ienstein as its new Academic Innovator. Alistair, a unique and revolutionary AI presence, is poised to transform the learning experience for students […]

    Request a Demo

    To request a free demo of one of our products, please fill in this form. Our sales team will get back to you shortly.