Question 1

How many OSHA inspections has DOWNEAST CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION had?

Accepted Answer

DOWNEAST CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION has been inspected 6 times by OSHA between Oct 9, 1991 and Jul 20, 2011, with 49 violations and $176,400 in penalties on record.

Question 2

How does OSHA enforcement work in Maine?

Accepted Answer

Maine operates a partial state plan covering public sector employees only. Private-sector employers in Maine are under federal OSHA jurisdiction. Federal OSHA conducts all inspections and enforcement for private-sector workplaces in the state.

Question 3

What is a Serious violation under OSHA?

Accepted Answer

A Serious violation is cited when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard, and the employer knew or should have known about the condition. Serious violations carry mandatory penalties. For 2025, the maximum penalty for a serious violation is $16,550 per violation. The actual amount may be adjusted based on factors including employer size, good faith efforts, and violation history.

Question 4

What do high OSHA penalty amounts indicate?

Accepted Answer

Higher penalty amounts typically result from Willful or Repeat violations, which carry maximums of $165,514 per violation (2025). Large penalty totals can also result from multiple Serious violations cited during a single inspection. Penalty amounts reflect OSHA's assessment of the severity and nature of the hazards found, not necessarily the overall safety culture of the employer. Employers may contest penalties through informal conference or formal proceedings.

Question 5

What is an OSHA referral inspection?

Accepted Answer

A referral inspection occurs when a federal or state agency, or another OSHA inspector, identifies a potential hazard and refers it to OSHA for follow-up. Referrals can come from other government agencies during their own inspections, from media reports, or from other OSHA inspections that identify hazards outside their scope. Referral inspections are given priority below complaints but above programmed inspections.

Question 6

Can employers be inspected by both federal OSHA and a state agency?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, no. In states with OSHA-approved state plans, the state agency has primary enforcement responsibility and federal OSHA generally does not conduct inspections of private employers. In states under federal jurisdiction, only federal OSHA conducts inspections. However, some states have partial plans that cover only public-sector employees, in which case federal OSHA retains jurisdiction over private employers.

Standard	Citations	Penalties
1926.1101Asbestos (Construction)	12	$50,400
1926.62Lead in Construction	11	$46,200
1926.850Preparatory Operations (Demolition)	5	$14,400
1926.350Gas Welding and Cutting	4	$9,000
1926.150Fire Protection (Construction)	3	$12,600
1926.352Fire Prevention (Welding)	2	$8,400
1926.151Fire Prevention	2	$6,000
1926.852Chutes (Demolition)	1	$0
1926.1417Operation	1	$3,000
1910.134Respiratory Protection	1	$4,200

ID	Opened	Type	Scope	Viol.	Penalties
#315672436	Jul 20, 2011	Referral	Partial	11	$39,000
#315672444	Jul 20, 2011	Unprogrammed Related	Complete	12	$50,400
#315672360	Jul 11, 2011	Complaint	Partial	2	$7,200
#315672097