OSHA Seeks $57K Fine for Pennsylvania Painter’s Death

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration wants to fine a contractor $57,900 for the electrocution death of a worker painting the outside of a Habitat for Humanity building.

The charitable agency isn’t targeted by OSHA. Instead, OSHA has proposed fines against Modern Painting & Decorating of Springdale, in the April 7 death of its employee, 48-year-old Paul Thompson, of Pittsburgh.

OSHA says Thompson was hit by falling electrical wires while he was on the building’s roof. The owner of the painting business did not immediately return a call for comment Tuesday.

OSHA cited the company for willfully allowing the employee to work too close to power lines and lesser citations for allegedly failing to protect employees from falls.

The company has 15 days to appeal.