A construction contractor has reached an agreement with OSHA, settling citations in connection with the death of a worker who was erecting a scaffold.
MacMillin Co. of Keene, NH, has agreed to:
- correct all hazards cited by OSHA
- expand safety training, and
- pay a $100,000 fine.
The original OSHA fine against MacMillin was $167,580 for failing to:
- inspect the scaffold for defects
- adequately train the employees about erecting and inspecting scaffolds, and
- determine the feasibility of or ensure the use of fall protection for the workers while the scaffolding was being built.
On Sept. 16, 2011, a number of temporary workers under the direction of MacMillin were putting up scaffolds at the Keene Middle School construction site. Steven Sawyer, 58, was one of the temp workers.
A plank that Sawyer was working on snapped, resulting in a 27-foot fall to the concrete floor below.
Sawyer died two weeks later in the hospital of the injuries he suffered.
MacMillin originally contested the OSHA fines. But now the company has agreed to the terms of the settlement with OSHA which includes providing the same level of training to its temp workers as it does for its permanent staff.
In April, OSHA announced a campaign to provide employers and employees with information about working safely from ladders, scaffolds and roofs.
