Preservation Society Cited for Hazardous Working Conditions

Inspections in May at Chateau-sur-Mer on Bellevue Avenue showed workers were exposed to lead paint and potentially fatal falls, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Thursday.

OSHA has cited the Preservation Society of Newport County for 10 “serious violations” and a $51,840 fine has been proposed, according to a statement.

Inspectors reported observing workers scraping away lead-based paint from an outbuilding at the Newport mansion, which is maintained by the Preservation Society.

They also observed employees climbing an extension ladder that was set up at an “incorrect and unsafe angle” at 478 Bellevue Ave.

Other findings include the lack of protective clothing and breathing protection for workers, hand-washing facilities, proper monitoring and a vacuum cleaner used did not have a high-efficiency particulate air filter.

“The hazards were both immediate and long-term,” said Patrick Griffin, OSHA’s area director for Rhode Island. “A fall from an improperly used ladder could have disabled or killed workers within seconds. Exposure to lead-based paint without proper safeguards could, over time, contribute to chronic health conditions. The society’s care and maintenance of historic structures should not come at a cost to the health and well-being of its workers. It must take effective action to ensure that these hazards don’t occur again.”

The Preservation Society has 15 days from the receipt of the citations to respond.

A spokeswoman for the Preservation Society of Newport County said the nonprofit is working with OSHA to rectify the issues.