Painting company gets OSHA fine after worker fall

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited and proposed more than $178,000 in fines against a Michigan painting company after a worker fell and suffered severe injuries in June.

Sterling Heights, Michigan-based LC United Painting Co. was cited by OSHA for 40 serious safety and health violations after the agency inspected the site following the worker’s fall inside a Baraboo, Wisconsin-based water tower that he was repainting, according to an OSHA news release issued on Tuesday.

The OSHA investigation uncovered numerous violations, including inadequate fall protection, neglecting to erect and inspect scaffolding correctly, lack of a proper respiratory program and electrical safety hazards, according to the agency.

“This worker suffered severe and preventable injuries because LC United Painting failed to ensure the use of adequate fall protection,” Ann Grevenkamp, OSHA’s area director in Madison, Wisconsin, said in a statement. “Employers must evaluate their job site to ensure workers are protected. No one should be injured on the job.”

The company could not be immediately reached for comment.