display713

As I look at all the replies pertaining to North Shore Neon's OSHA violation, it is obvious to me that nobody has ever performed an installation in NYC, specifically the boro of Manhattan. Within my 25 year career in the sign industry, I have! I previously worked for a different unionized sign company and we contracted North Shore Neon to perform an installation in another boro of NYC and they did a great job. They were in the same union as us, although a different "Local" and it was easier to contract their firm, rather than us crossing into their territory and performing the installation on our own. That being said, North Shore Neon is one of a handful of sign companies, licensed to perform Exterior High Rise Installations and Service within Manhattan and by defacto, they know the rules, regulations and OSHA exposure that gets dealt with on a daily basis and there is "NO" excuse for their crews "Complacent Attitude" on the job site pertaining to the utilization of PPE, (Personal Protective Equipment). I should know, as not too long ago, I was contracted to perform an OSHA Abatement Program for a sign/display company with 35 skilled labor employees on the South Shore of Long Island, NY only 30 minutes away from North Shore Neon. The program was a success in the sense that, pertinent PPE is utilized at every step of the manufacturing, installation and service processes as well as, "All Attendance", bi-monthly safety meetings including video recordings of potential accidents to avoid. To date the OSHA 300 Log is clean. I believe the other thing that is being overlooked by the other repliers to this article, is that OSHA is utilized in every aspect of other manufacturing and services industries nationwide, not just the sign business. My personal and professional beliefs as well as my political party affiliation highly believes in, "Less Government Regulation". That being stated, I still believe that OSHA has a very important and necessary presence within the sign industry and all working within it. This includes Corporate Ownership, Proprietors and Skilled Labor and should embrace this fact. As for the 42K+ in fines that North Shore Neon must contend with; which more than likely will be adjusted down to a lower rate, compare it to getting a speeding ticket. In today's day and age, let's face it; even if your caught going only 5 mph over the speed limit, the fine is very expensive and a majority of the fine are Administrative and Neighbor Safety Corridor fees as to assist against making the same complacent mistake again, creating a safer environment for all. I'm not exactly sure where anybody in the industry feels that if an Owner is on a jobsite whether directly hands on, or just standing around being "Da' Boss"; they can skate on jobsite safety violations is simply untrue and irresponsible!!! North Shore Neon is a well seasoned company, with years of experience at what they do and where they do it. The OSHA violation they received, is to serve as a reminder to them of the fact that they are: working in a city and a boro of several million citizens, workers and tourists and safety is monumental while on jobsite. allowing undue risk of injury and possibly death to one or more of its valuable workforce. permitting complacency within the workforce that must be addressed on a daily, weekly and monthly basis of continued safety meetings to address and avoid all possible workplace and on site negligible/avoidable accidents. In closing; to everyone in the sign industry during this upcoming holiday season: Embrace your method of generating income close and your loved ones closer! Peace-Out!