Texas Construction Company Cited for Alleged Safety, Health Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Richard Hargrove Co. in Bryan, Texas, with three alleged serious and nine alleged repeat violations following an inspection at the company’s worksite in College Station for exposing workers to multiple safety hazards. Proposed penalties total $46,800.

OSHA began an investigation Feb. 2 at the company’s worksite at 4225 Rock Bend Drive, where six employees were engaged in building and framing a private residence.

The inspection was initiated under the agency’s Construction Hazards Emphasis Program when an OSHA inspector observed employees working at heights of more than 14 feet without the use of fall protection.

In 2009, OSHA cited the company $16,750 for 12 serious violations, including failing to provide fall protection, personal protective equipment and to protect employees from electrical hazards.

The serious violations include failing to provide frequent and regular inspections of jobsites and equipment, to ensure that manufacturer’s guidelines were followed in the use of step ladders and to ensure that safety devices on automatic fastening equipment, such as nail guns, were functioning.

Repeat violations include failing to train employees in the recognition and avoidance of hazardous working conditions, to ensure working space is kept clear of debris, to provide personal protection equipment such as hard hats and eye goggles, to ensure extension cords were provided with grounding pins, to train employees on the hazards of scaffolding and to provide fall protection to workers at elevated levels of 14 feet or more.

The Richard Hargrove Co., which employs about 32 workers in College Station, has 15 working days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in Austin, Texas, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.