JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited ShayCore Enterprises with five safety and health violations after a 30-year-old painter was shocked by power lines while working.
The painter was hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns when his ladder came into contact with overhead power lines.
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ShayCore Enterprises was subcontracted to paint the exterior of Total Office Solutions furniture and warehouse on Emerson Street.
"The employer recognized the hazards associated with working near power lines, but failed to take action to ensure workers were protected and equipped with the proper tools to perform the work safely," said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA's area director in Jacksonville. "The employer's inaction nearly resulted in a worker losing his life."
A willful citation was issued for allowing employees to use aluminum ladders near power lines. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.
OSHA issued serious violations for exposing workers to falls up to 27 feet and for not providing employees with a fall protection system; failing to train employees on how to recognize hazards associated with using aluminum ladders around electrical lines; and not ensuring the ladder used to access the roof extended 3 feet above the roofline. Another violation involves not implementing a written respiratory protection program.
A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
ShayCore Enterprises is a licensed general contracting and construction management firm with three separate divisions: residential, commercial and industrial. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Proposed penalties total $63,700.