A Pago Pago construction firm with links to Samoa has been cited by a U.S. agency that is proposing over USD$1 million in penalties for alleged breaches.

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (O.S.H.A.) has cited Paramount Builders for 21 alleged violations and is proposing penalties of USD$1,088,681 (SAT$2.9 million) against the company. The company is owned by Papali'i Lauli'i Alofa who has roots in Salelologa, Savai'i.  

Local media in the American territory have reported that Paramount Builders has a long history of alleged violations of federal workplace health and safety laws, which have continued after inspections of two work sites found the employer exposed workers to numerous dangerous hazards.

“Since 2018, O.S.H.A. has cited Paramount Builders Ltd with 22 serious violations, including willful and repeat failures in 26 inspections. The company’s history includes fall protection failures that led to an employee’s 24-foot fatal fall in May 2013 as they painted rafters,” said a press release issued by the U.S. agency. 

In January 2023, the O.S.H.A. found Paramount Builders, once again, endangering its employees. The agency cited the company for 21 violations — including nine serious violations, six willful, and six repeat serious violations — and a proposed USD$1,088,681 in penalties.

Specifically, the O.S.H.A. determined that Paramount Builders failed to: use guardrail systems, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems, as required; equip stairways with one stair rail system along each unprotected side or edge; ensure workers used appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapours, or potentially hazardous light radiation; and install equipment safely as instructed by the manufacturer.

The O.S.H.A. Area Office Director Roger Forstner in Honolulu said, “Paramount Builders has historically shown its willingness to ignore federal laws that protect its employees from being exposed to serious injuries and potentially fatal hazards, and its intentional disregard must end.

”O.S.H.A. will continue to hold this company accountable for their continued indifference to employee safety and closely monitor their operations until they bring themselves into compliance.”

Papali'i recently made headlines in Samoa in relation to the unlawful entrance of a boat called Kite Runner which travelled to Samoa from American Samoa in April this year carrying goods for a family funeral in Savai'i. The boat is registered under a "Tish Peau" who this newspaper understands works for Papali'i and is related to a Cabinet Minister in Samoa. The vessel from Pago Pago did not have proper documentation upon arrival and was seized by authorities in Savai'i before it was let off with its crew by local authorities.

This newspaper understands that the investigation into the unlawful entrance of the Kite Runner into Samoan territorial waters continues. Two weeks ago, the Attorney General's office in American Samoa instructed the U.S. territory's heads of Port Administration and Homeland Security to provide more documentation on the boat.

The territory's Deputy Attorney General, Roy JD Hall Junior on 16 June 2023 sent an email to the Port Director, Falenaoti Fruen, and Homeland Security Director, Samana Semo Veavea demanding copies of the paperwork to be submitted to the Attorney General's office. The directors were asked to provide any investigative report, documentation, and list of witnesses generated as part of the investigation into the Kite Runner.