OSHA Fines 2 Contractors in Scaffold Collapse

If you work in the construction industry in Florida, you may remember the headlines about a scaffold collapse on Florida's East Coast back in December. Well, OSHA's inspection finally resulted in fines for the two contractors involved - a total of $9,000.

According to an article in the Palm Beach Post, "OSHA said scaffolding was not put up under the oversight of a qualified scaffolding supervisor, frames were not properly braced, and some cross braces were removed by persons not competent to do so." That "qualified scaffolding supervisor" that they're talking about is what we call a "competent person." This is a HUGE problem! I can't tell you how often I see deficient scaffolding and it all comes down to lack of training and lack of oversight by a "competent person." Even the so-called "small" scaffolds used by stucco workers have to be inspected by a "competent person" BEFORE we put workers onto the scaffolding. Even the saw-horse supported scaffolds used in residential construction from time to time have to be inspected by a "competent person" BEFORE we put workers onto the scaffolds. Why is that so difficult to comprehend?

Anyway, when OSHA visited that site in Florida, they didn't just look at the scaffolding. According to the Palm Beach Post, the contractor "...did not have in place proper instructions for workers in the use of respirators and both firms failed to provide adequate instruction in how to work with hazardous chemicals."

But, if we aren't careful, we lose sight of the real problem here. It's not the danger of a fine from OSHA - it's the danger of hurting or killing our fellow workers!