La. contractor disputes OSHA fines

Published 4:39 pm Wednesday, April 1, 2009

A Louisiana contractor is challenging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s findings that led to fines of $72,000 for safety violations related to a scaffolding collapse.

The collapse occurred at Mississippi Power Co.’s Plant Daniels in Jackson County. One worker was killed and six others injured in the November incident.

Last week, OSHA said it had cited LandCoast Insulation Inc. of New Iberia, La., for safety violations.

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The employees were working on scaffolding at a boiler house where coal would typically be used to generate power.

OSHA said LandCoast Insulation used substantially weaker scaffold components than was required for the job and failed to provide employees with adequate training. But an attorney for LandCoast Insulation says the company will appeal OSHA’s findings.