New York Contractor Faces $522K in OSHA Penalties for Exposing Workers to Fall Hazards

A federal workplace safety investigation alleges that a Huntington, New York contractor could have prevented a roofer’s fatal fall at a Glen Cove worksite in April by following legally required safeguards designed to prevent falls.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said its investigation determined the deceased worker and other employees of Elite Roofing Services Inc. were installing metal decking on a flat industrial roof at Garvies Point Road when the decedent fell through an opening to a concrete floor nearly 20-feet below.

The agency issued six willful violations for the fall hazards – one violation for each exposed worker – and one serious violation for not training the workers. The agency has proposed $522,527 in penalties for the violations.

OSHA’s investigators said they learned the company did not provide the employees on the roof with protections such as guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, positioning devices or fall restraint systems. The work being completed fell under OSHA’s steel erection standard, and Elite Roofing failed to train each employee on recognizing and mitigating fall hazards before conducting the steel erection work, according to OSHA.

“Despite knowing the risks from falls and the responsibility to safeguard its employees against them, Elite Roofing Services Inc. chose to disregard the law and the safety of its workers,” said OSHA Area Director Kevin Sullivan in Westbury. “Supplying and requiring the use of fall protection equipment and training workers properly on its use can help prevent devastating consequences such as this from recurring.”

Elite Roofing Services Inc has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent review commission.

Source: OSHA

Topics New York Workers' Compensation Contractors