Lead Paint and Fall Hazards Result in $160K Fine
Fortune Painting Co. Inc., or Fortune Restoration of Illinois, a company that has a long history of safety violations now faces a new tab of almost $160,000 for 25 alleged violations of federal workplace safety standards.
OSHA said the company’s new repeat violations were similar to others for which it was cited for in 2008 and 2012. The contractor has been inspected 10 times since 2008; all but one inspection resulted in safety violations, according to a review of OSHA’s records.
The health and safety citations -- which generally were associated with fall hazards, exposing workers to lead-based paint and chemicals, and a lack of administrative controls and training -- issued by OSHA included:
Willful Infraction: committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirement, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health:
OSHA said the company’s new repeat violations were similar to others for which it was cited for in 2008 and 2012. The contractor has been inspected 10 times since 2008; all but one inspection resulted in safety violations, according to a review of OSHA’s records.
The health and safety citations -- which generally were associated with fall hazards, exposing workers to lead-based paint and chemicals, and a lack of administrative controls and training -- issued by OSHA included:
Willful Infraction: committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirement, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health:
- Fortune Painting failed to determine employee exposure to lead before directing workers to sand and scrape paint during a residential restoration project in Wilmette, IL.
- Resulting Fine: $42,350
- respiratory protection standards;
- failure to ensure that workers had properly fitted respirators to protect them from lead overexposure;
- failure to train workers in respiratory use and procedures;
- fall hazards;
- dry sweeping of debris contaminated with lead-based paint;
- failure to provide work shoes or disposable coverlets; and
- lack of a clean changing area.
- Resulting Fine: $70,840
- Respiratory protection;
- Personal protective equipment (such as safety glasses and clothing);
- Training and administrative controls; and
- Housekeeping practices.
- Resulting Fine: $44,660
- failure to implement a lead exposure compliance program;
- improper use of electrical equipment; and
- failure to provide medical recommendations for each employee's ability to use a respirator.
- Resulting Fine: $1,540
Totaling a massive fine of $159,390, the citations and violations could all have been easily avoided through the proper certification and compliance with local and federal requirements.
EPA Lead Certification
The EPA has ruled that contractors who perform renovation, repairs, and painting must train and re-certify in lead-safe work practices before renovating certain projects. If you are unsure if your work falls under this rule, use Green Education Services
simple breakdown of lead-based paint activities and the required certification.
If your work does fall under this rule, Green Education Services provides accredited courses for EPA Lead Certification. Visit https://www.greenedu.com/epa-lead-certification to learn more.
Safety Hazard Prevention
Green Education Services has courses that teach you what it takes to be in compliance with local and federal job site requirements and, most importantly, how to keep your team safe and healthy. Visit https://www.greenedu.com/osha-construction-safety to get started now!
Administrative Training
In order to successfully manage and support your business, it is important to have the skills of an administrator all of which are taught through various courses offered by Green Education Services. Check out https://www.greenedu.com/business-practices for a full list of the available courses.
simple breakdown of lead-based paint activities and the required certification.
If your work does fall under this rule, Green Education Services provides accredited courses for EPA Lead Certification. Visit https://www.greenedu.com/epa-lead-certification to learn more.
Safety Hazard Prevention
Green Education Services has courses that teach you what it takes to be in compliance with local and federal job site requirements and, most importantly, how to keep your team safe and healthy. Visit https://www.greenedu.com/osha-construction-safety to get started now!
Administrative Training
In order to successfully manage and support your business, it is important to have the skills of an administrator all of which are taught through various courses offered by Green Education Services. Check out https://www.greenedu.com/business-practices for a full list of the available courses.
