OSHA cites 2 Texas-based companies for fall hazards--"We will be stepping up enforcement of fall hazards"

OSHA cited 2 Texas-based companies, United Renovations and ABC Roofing, for fall hazards at their Colorado worksite with penalties of $59,000 and $38,750, respectively,related to fall hazards. OSHA's investigation led to one alleged willful and two alleged serious citations against United Renovation, based out of Carrolton, Texas, and one alleged willful, two alleged serious and one alleged other-than-serious citations against ABC Roofing, based out of Euless, Texas. Both companies were engaged in roofing work at the Aurora worksite.

"Fall hazards are the biggest killers in the construction industry, a fact that shouldn't be lost on any company," said John Healy, OSHA's area director in Englewood. "In the coming weeks, OSHA will be stepping up its enforcement of fall hazards, especially in those areas of the state that experienced significant hail damage this year — areas where we expect to see an influx in roofing work."

For both companies, the alleged willful violations stem from a lack of fall protection for workers performing roof work and failing to use fall protection while workers were being machine lifted to the roof. OSHA issues a willful citation when an employer exhibits plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. The alleged serious violations against both companies relate to fall hazards associated with the lift used to elevate workers to the roof and accessing the roof with ladders that did not extend 3 feet above the landing. ABC Roofing was further cited for accessing the roof with a ladder made longer by using a bungee cord to attach a second ladder to it and for failing to train workers in the use of ladders. They used a bungee cord to make the ladder longer..??

Sources:
http://www.osha.gov/