August 2, 2016
OSHA finds workers exposed to falls, electric shock, other hazards
at The Turner Company LLP, a pre-cast concrete structure manufacturer following complaint, injury
Agency fines The Turner Company $99K for 17 repeat, serious violations
Employer name: The Turner Company LLP
Inspection Site: 11049 South U.S. Hwy 287, Rhome, Texas 76078
Citations issued: July 29, 2016
Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration began an inspection at The Turner Company LLP facility on April 5, 2016, after the agency received a report of injury and a complaint about unsafe working conditions at the Rhome facility. OSHA cited the company for two repeat and 15 serious health and safety violations. The repeat violations were cited for not keeping restrooms clean or in a sanitary condition and not having protective covers on receptacle gang boxes and switches exposing live electrical wiring.
The serious violations produced citations for:
- Not providing basic information about respirators to employees.
- Not keeping the yard and work areas clean and sanitary
- Not guarding holes in floors, or guarding open sided floors and platforms.
- Fixed ladder violations such as ladder rungs not 12 inches consistently, hand rails not extending above the work platform and incomplete safety cages.
- Missing rail sweeps and trolley bumpers on overhead cranes.
- Electrical violations such as unused opening, panels not marked and not rated for wet locations.
- Not marking or tagging hazardous chemicals containers.
Proposed Penalties: $99,248
Quote: "Falls are the most cited violations in Texas and are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry," said Jack A. Rector, OSHA's Area Director in Fort Worth. "It is extremely important that The Turner Company correct the fall hazards before another worker is hurt or worse."
Link to the citations: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/TheTurnerCompanyLLP_1138055.pdf and http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/TheTurnerCompanyLLP_1138801.pdf
Information: the company, which manufactures different types of pre-cast concrete structures, producing septic tanks, grease traps, storm cellars and manholes. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Fort Worth Area Office at 817-581-7303.
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The
Turner Company specializes in manufacturing pre-cast concrete
structures, producing septic tanks, grease traps, storm cellars, and
manholes. Each of our products can be designed to meet our customers
specifications, giving our customers a wide range of products to meet
their needs.
The
Turner Company was established in 1980 and has been growing rapidly in
the pre-cast industry. Built on integrity and a strong work ethic, The
Turner Co. prides itself on quality workmanship in all of our products
and looks forward to continued success for both our Company and all our
valued customers.