EITI

Springdale Contractor Cited Following Fatal Accident

Posted December 3rd, 2010

Modern Painting and Decorating of Springdale, Pennsylvania, was recently fined $57,900 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for safety violations following a fatal worker electrocution at a New Kensington worksite. The employee was working on a roof while painting the exterior of a building in April 2010 when he made contact with a high-voltage power line.

"The employer was aware of the existence and proximity of the overhead power lines, as well as the danger they posed to employees, yet took no action to ensure worker safety," said Robert Szymanski, area director of OSHA's Pittsburgh office.

The company was cited with one willful violation for permitting employees to work close to live power circuits, and two serious violations for failure to provide adequate fall hazard training and fall protection.