OSHA: Ronkonkoma contractor fined over scaffolding violations

A Ronkonkoma painting and stucco contractor has been fined $225,200 for failing to properly erect scaffolding and provide fall protection for its workers at two Kings Point job sites, a federal agency said Monday.

Painting & Decorating Inc., 2180 Fifth Ave., was cited for 15 alleged willful, serious and repeat violations of workplace safety standards, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a news release.

Inspectors observed the violations while driving by the job sites on Lighthouse Road and Briar Lane in Kings Point, the release said.

Eight "willful" citations totaling $200,000 in fines were for not fully planking scaffolds; failing to provide an access ladder; not ensuring that scaffolds rested on base plates and not providing fall protection at both sites, OSHA said. Six "serious" citations totaling $5,200 in fines were issued for missing railings, toeboards and bracing; one repeat citation for $20,000 was issued for not training workers on scaffolding assembly and work, OSHA said.

A call to the company's owner, Miguel Garzon, was not immediately returned.

Anthony Ciuffo, OSHA's Long Island area director in Westbury, said the company had been fined in 2007 and 2008 for similar violations.

"These sizable fines reflect both the gravity of the cited hazards and this employer's prior history of similar violations," Ciuffo said in a news release. Ciuffo said the Ronkonkoma company has "repeatedly neglected to implement basic, common sense and legally required safeguards" in regards to working on scaffolding 10 feet high and more.

OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health; a serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known. A repeat citation, in the case of Painting & Decorating, is related to its previous fines in 2007 and 2008, the release said.

Painting & Decorating Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to contest the findings, OSHA said.