OSHA Cites Contractor 32 Times in 4 Months for Alleged Deadly Fall Hazards

Federal officials say a New Jersey construction contractor with a history of ignoring federal fall safety standards has again been found exposing employees to potentially deadly fall hazards in eight work site inspections.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said it opened eight inspections of Road Contractor Corp. in Evesham, Freehold, Manalapan, Marlton, Mullica Hill and Rumson. In the inspections conducted from November 2023 to March 2024, OSHA investigators allege they identified 32 safety violations with $819,417 in proposed penalties. In each inspection, the agency said it found the company failed to provide workers with required fall safety protection.

Long Branch-based Road Contractor has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent OSHA review commission. Registered in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Road Contractor provides wood framing and sheathing services for residential construction projects.

OSHA alleges that Road Contractor has exposed its employees routinely to dangerous falls and other safety hazards common in residential construction. In addition to the alleged fall safety violations, OSHA cited the company for allowing employees to use portable ladders unsafely; exposing employees to silica hazards and failing to train workers to recognize them’ allowing the operation of machines without required guards; failing to have hazardous communication or written exposure control programs; and not providing employees with eye and face protection.

In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 395 fatal workplace falls, the leading cause of death in the construction industry.

Topics Workers' Compensation Contractors