Opinion
No. 73-3134. Summary Calendar.
Rule 18, 5th Cir. See Isbell Enterprises, Inc. v. Citizens Casualty Co. of New York et al., 5th Cir. 1970, 431 F.2d 409, Part I.
May 28, 1974.
Walter H. Fleischer, Stanton R. Koppel, Civil Div., Appellate Section, Dept. of Justice, Washington, D.C., for petitioner.
W. V. Woodrow, pro se.
William S. McLaughlin, Exec. Secretary, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, Washington, D.C., for the Commission.
Appeal from the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Before GEWIN, GODBOLD and CLARK, Circuit Judges.
This appeal is taken from a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, vacating a citation and proposed penalty issued by the Secretary of Labor against Verne-Woodrow Company for violating 29 C. F.R. 1926.105(a). We reverse.
This appeal is authorized by 29 U.S.C. § 660(b) (Supp. 1972-73).
29 C.F.R. 1926.105(a) (1973) provides as follows:
"(a) Safety nets shall be provided when workplaces are more than 25 feet above the ground or water surface, or other surfaces where the use of ladders, scaffolds, catch platforms, temporary floors, safety lines, or safety belts is impractical."
This case is controlled by our decision in Brennan v. Southern Contractors Service Company and Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, 492 F.2d 498 (5th Cir. 1974). There, as here, it was uncontroverted that the employer had failed to provide its employees working at a height over 25 feet above ground with one of the safety devices listed in 29 C.F.R. 1926.105(a). There, as here, the Secretary's expert witness testified the use of safety belts was practical at the employment site. And finally, there, as here, the Commission countermanded the Secretary, holding that where it is practical to use a safety belt, an employer who fails to do so nevertheless is not in violation of 29 C.F.R. 1926.105(a). This court having previously rejected the Commission's strained construction of the regulation in Southern Contractors, we are compelled to reject it now.
Accordingly, the order of the Commission is reversed and the case is remanded with directions to reinstate the citation and penalty imposed by the Secretary of Labor.
Reversed and remanded with directions.