Seven's Not a Lucky Number for Philadelphia Company

San Lucas Construction Co. (Philadelphia), a general contractor on the Philadelphia Housing Authority's Richard Allen Hope VI Project on Parish Drive, has been cited by OSHA for alleged violations of safety and health standards. The agency proposed a penalty of $32,600.

"We have inspected this work site seven times in the past year," said Phyllis Kyner, area director of the Philadelphia OSHA office. In nearly all cases, San Lucas was cited for fall hazards. "Though the employer knew of the condition and its responsibility to correct it, the company continued to allow employees to be exposed to falls up to 25 feet. Eleven other contractors onsite have also been cited by OSHA for fall and electrical hazards," Kyner added.

During this inspection, San Lucas was issued one willful violation for lack of fall protection, with a proposed penalty of $28,000. The company received three serious violations for lack of adequate fire protection, open pits and stair rails, with proposed penalties of $3,000. One repeat violation for not extending the side rails of portable ladders three feet past the upper landing surface was issued for a penalty of $1,600. No penalties were issued for two other-than-serious violations for electrical hazards and housekeeping.