Mississippi Home Builder Fined $59K in Worker’s Death

A company faces up to $58,700 in fines after a construction worker died while working on the second story of an Ocean Springs, Mississippi home.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Monday that it has cited Thomas Matthews Framing of Biloxi for safety rule violations that contributed to the death of Gerald Moran. The 42-year-old died eight days after falling more than 20 feet from scaffolding at the home, suffering brain and spinal cord injuries.

OSHA says the company failed to install safety guardrails on the balcony where Moran was installing planks, and failed to report Moran’s injury.

The company has 15 days to appeal the ruling or request a conference with OSHA. Fines are often reduced in such conferences.

OSHA says the company had no previous violation history.