by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Hua Sheng International Group Corporation in Barrigada $140,000 in proposed penalties for hazardous working and living conditions at a jobsite and barracks in Harmon. OSHA Regional Administrator Ken Nishiyama Atha says they are vigorously enforcing the standards for adequate housing and safety for all workers, including H-2b temporary workers, especially as construction and other industries ramp up in support of the planned relocation of Marine Corps personnel and their dependents from Okinawa to Guam.

OSHA cited the company for one alleged willful violation and 28 alleged serious violations. The willful violation is for failing to provide workers with an adequate water supply for drinking, cooking, bathing, flushing and laundry. The serious violations are for safety and health hazards related to poor living conditions at the employees' barracks as well as at the worksite.

Some include failing to maintain the fire alarm system; maintain toilet rooms in sanitary condition; install cooking and heating equipment to meet local ordinances codes and regulations; provide proper food-handling facilities and garbage containers; and provide first aid facilities and maintain a trained first aid person.