OSHA Assigns Bridge Painting Contractor to ‘Severe Violator’ Program for Repeat Violations

PHILADELPHIA — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed $460,000 in fines for a Pennsylvania painting contractor accused of failing to protect workers from exposure lead-based paint and other safety hazards.

The federal worker safety agency also said in announcing the fines Jan. 30 that it had placed Panthera Painting Inc. in OSHA’s “Severe Violator Enforcement Program” for “recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate violations.”

In the most recent action, OSHA cited Panthera for 38 total violations at three bridge sandblasting and repainting sites in Pennsylvania. Of the total number, 14 were deemed willful …