A prominent local developer has been cited for ten serious workplace violations in the City of Buffalo. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration regional director Arthur Dube says employees performing demolition for Ellicott Development were exposed to lead while tearing down and disposing of walls that contained lead paint in a building at Clinton and South Ogden Streets.
Dube says the workers may have been exposed to "potentially significant health hazards."
"Exposure to lead can damage the blood-forming, nervous, urinary, and reproductive systems. Even short-term exposure can have consequences. Ellicott Development must ensure that proper safeguards are in place and effective at this, and all, job sites where workers might be exposed to lead," Dube told WBFO News.
Inspectors also found workers disposing of debris were exposed to falls from the unguarded edge of the roof and unguarded holes in the floor.
Dube says the company faces $44,000 in fines and has 15-days to respond to OSHA.