The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, has cited Paramount Builders for 21 violations and is proposing penalties of more than $1 million against the company.
According to OSHA, Paramount‘s long history of violations of federal workplace safety and health laws continued after inspections at two work sites where the employer exposed workers to numerous dangerous hazards.
“Since 2018, OSHA, has cited Paramount Builders Ltd. with 22 serious violations, including willful and repeat failures in 26 inspections. The company’s history includes fall protection failures that led to an employee’s 24-foot fatal fall in May 2013 as they painted rafters,” said a press release.
During January 2023, OSHA found Paramount Builders, once again, endangering its employees. The agency cited the company for 21 violations — including nine serious violations, six willful and six repeat serious violations — and proposed $1,088,681 in penalties.
Specifically, OSHA determined Paramount Builders failed to:
- Use guardrail systems, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems, as required.
- Equip stairways with one stair rail system along each unprotected side or edge.
- Ensure workers used appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially hazardous light radiation.
- Install equipment safely as instructed by the manufacturer.
OSHA Area Office Director Roger Forstner in Honolulu said, “Paramount Builders has historically shown its willingness to ignore federal laws that protect its employees from being exposed to serious injuries and potentially fatal hazards, and its intentional disregard must end.
”OSHA will continue to hold this company accountable for their continued indifference to employee safety and closely monitor their operations until they bring themselves into compliance.”
The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and 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.
