OSHA: Florida No. 2 in workplace deaths

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) leaders claim Florida is number two in the country when it comes to deaths and injuries at work.

Texas has the highest number of fatalities, according to OSHA.

Florida has a record high of 55 work place fatalities to date and there is an increase of injuries on construction zones.

OSHA leaders say more workplace injuries are happening at home construction zones, mainly because workers are working higher than 6 feet off the ground without being taking proper security measures.

Wood frames, cement structures and workers is a common scene in Duval and St. Johns counties.

"The residential boom in Duval and St. Johns Counties is very, very high," said Brian Sturtecky with OSHA.

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Brian Sturtecky with OSHA says more homes are being built and it’s unfortunately causing more work place injuries, even deaths.

“Florida leads only to Texas as the state with the highest number of fatalities. Right now, Florida is on a record high of 55 fatalities to date, and that’s simply unacceptable. Any worker that loses its life, is one too many,” said Sturtecky.

That’s why OSHA is currently cracking down on those offenders.

“We need the home builders to take responsibility to do some due diligence by doing some history checks on the sub-contractors, and they hire, to make sure they look at their safety record. They’re cutting corners. The idea is to get the job done as quickly as possible, so they can get on to the next job,” said Sturtecky.

OSHA leaders are encouraging workers to report companies that are not following proper safety procedures to http://www.osha.gov.

Cox Media Group