Statement by Brad Diede, Chief Executive Officer, California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors (CALPASC)

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent press release issued by the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), citations in excess of $235,000 have been issued to construction contractor TL Pavlich for "deliberate and willful workplace safety violations" causing a welder to be severely burned while "working on a public works project in Montebello. In addition to being reviewed for a potential criminal referral to the Los Angeles District Attorney, the case is being referred to the Contractors State Licensing Board for licensing review and to the California Labor Commissioner for possible public works debarment."

"We fully support the efforts of the DIR and Cal/OSHA for their continued efforts to curb general contractors, builders and subcontractors who do not take into account employee safety and comply with all regulations.

"It's vital that Cal/OSHA aggressively pursues any employer who willfully violates an 'order prohibiting use' until the hazard has been eliminated and who willfully exposes employees to dangerous conditions.

"CALPASC works with the DIR, Cal/OSHA and other state regulatory agencies to help qualify claims and focus on flagrant violators in construction. There are too many builders and general contractors in California who continue to hire low-bid subcontractors without regard for employee safety and quality of construction.

"Most contractors and subcontractors who procure work through low bids do so by not complying with proper safety requirements, paying their employees under the table or skirting regulatory requirements.

"CALPASC developed the LEVEL program to work closely with state agencies and streamline the enforcement process when contractors see flagrant violators in action."

SOURCE California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors (CALPASC)