OSHA Safety Training Could have Prevented Austin Balcony Accident and Saved Texas Construction Company 140k

With the arrival of a new year, it is important that all of us take a look back at one of the most possibly-tragic events in the state of Texas. When three workers fell off a shaky scaffold on that fateful but severely fortunate day, June 24, 2011, OSHA's Austin Area Office initiated an investigation on following a report that a third-floor balcony had collapsed at a construction site. The three employees who fell 16 feet to the ground, only suffered minor injuries and were treated and released from a local Austin hospital.

The fact that the workers only sustained minimal non-life threatening injuries was a miracle unto itself, but the truth and the facts remain that construction firms have an unwavering responsibility to make certain the entire crew is properly OSHA safety trained. The company, Martin's Concrete Construction of Austin, was fined $143,880 and was cited for numerous OSHA errors and omissions. OSHA has cited the construction company for serious and repeat safety violations following the incident and has been very tough on the owners of the construction company, as well they should.

OSHA has cited Austin-based Martin's Concrete Construction for eight serious safety violations, including failing to develop a safety and health program, provide employees with safety and health training, ensure that shoring was designed by a qualified designer, and provide fall protection such as guardrails when working on projects at levels higher than 6 feet. Proposed penalties total $28,800. "Failure to effectively implement OSHA's safety and health standards to protect workers from potential workplace hazards can lead to serious or fatal injuries," said Casey Perkins, OSHA's area director in Austin. "If the company had installed the proper shoring, it is possible these injuries could have been avoided."

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