A Florida worker suffered neck and back injuries after the balcony he was working on collapsed, sending him 18 feet to the ground.

After conducting two separate inspections into the incident, OSHA cited Pompano Beach-based Flacks Painting & Waterproofing for one willful, four serious and two other-than-serious safety and health violations.

The 48-year-old worker was replacing existing balconies at a residential building when the accident occurred.

Inadequate shoring

"This incident was preventable. Had Flacks Painting & Waterproofing provided adequate shoring for the balcony, the worker would not have fallen and suffered serious injuries," said Condell Eastmond, OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale.

The willful citation was issued to the employer for not ensuring the walking and working surface where employees were working was strong enough to support the workers.

Scaffolding, fall protection lack

OSHA issued serious citations to the employer for:

• Failing to ensure the scaffold was fully planked.
• Failing to ensure adequate support of the scaffold's poles, legs, post and frames.
• Failing to provide three-tier scaffolds with a complete guardrail system.
• Failing to ensure a fall protection system was in place for employees.

Two other violations were also cited for failure to develop and implement a respiratory protection program for employees wearing respirators and not developing, implementing or maintaining a written hazard communication program for workers using dangerous chemicals.

Proposed penalties: $89,793.