Fall Protection is a MUST

Connecticut - Earlier this month, a contracting company was cited for thirteen willful and serious violations while building a bridge over the Housatonic River. The company will now be faced with almost $2,000 in fines after they failed to provide any protection against falls and drowning as well as other potential hazards. The initial inspection took place in December of last year. During this inspection, OSHA found that the contracting employees were working over 40 feet above the water with no fall protection, a ladder of the wrong height, and with unguarded places along the bridge. Had any employees fallen in the water, their lives were put at risk for the company lacked life jackets, rings, and a lifesaving skiff which are required to be available on site. The company is very lucky that no employees have been seriously injured or killed due to these violations. Other citations were given for a broken cable guardrail system, the lack of hardhats, the lack of trained emergency responders, and unguarded grinders. The company was given 15 days to comply with or argue these citations.