OSHA is proposing nearly $2 million in penalties against BB Frame, operating as Frame Q and Juan Quevedo, for exposing workers to multiple safety hazards at four Bergen County, N.J., worksites. OSHA conducted five separate investigations beginning in December 2019 of the Palisades Park, N.J., framing contractor.
Frame Q also faces a February lawsuit from the Department of Justice alleging the company failed to pay the Department of Treasury moer than $678,053 in civil penalties and delinquency fees. OSHA had levied the underlying fines between 2013 and 2017 for dozens of violations, including lack of fall protection and ladder safety. Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Frame Q was dissolved but Quevedo continued doing business as Frame Q while using the BB Frame corporate entity.
OSHA levied a $520,860 proposed penalty and cited the framing contractor for nine safety violations after investigating a Cliffside Park, N.J., worksite in December 2019. A separate investigation in Fort Lee, N.J., resulted in $426,785 in proposed penalties and five safety violation citations. An investigation of a different Cliffside Park worksite in January resulted in five additional safety citations and a $405,588 proposed penalty. OSHA completed two additional investigations in February 2020 at a Palisades Park, N.J., worksite and issued eleven citations and $643,892 in proposed penalties.
"This employer's extensive history of egregious disregard for the safety of workers will not be tolerated," OSHA New York regional administrator Richard Mendelson said in a news release. "Employers are required by law to provide workers with safe and healthful workplaces."
The framing company has 15 business days from the receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with their OSHA area director, or contest the findings.
"Worker safety should be an employer's top priority every day," OSHA principal deputy assistant secretary Loren Sweatt said. "OSHA has extensive resources to assist employers with providing a workplace free from recognized hazards and complying with occupational safety and health standards."