OSHA cites contractors after fatal fall at Florida worksite

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited GA&L Construction Corp. Inc. of Doral, Florida, and The Rinaldi Group of Florida LLC, headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey, for failing to protect employees from fall hazards at a construction worksite in Miami. The two companies face $87,327 in penalties. 

An employee was fatally injured after falling from an elevated work platform. OSHA inspectors determined that workers were exposed to fall, struck-by and impalement hazards. OSHA cited the employers for failing to provide fall protection and conduct regular inspections of the worksite, as well as permitting workers to use an unsecured extension ladder.

“Workplace safety standards exist to ensure that workers return to their families at the end of each day free from harm,” says OSHA Fort Lauderdale Area Director Condell Eastmond. “Disregarding legal obligations to identify and eliminate hazards can cause tragedies.”

Citations for GA&L Construction Corp. Inc. and The Rinaldi Group of Florida are available online.

OSHA offers compliance assistance resources on fall protection in construction on its website.

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.