The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has

cited Jasper Contractors for six safety and health violations. These violations come in response

to a March 2014 inspection after the agency received complaints that employees were working

from roofs without fall protection. These violations carry proposed penalties of $162,000.

“Management did not take any action to minimize the fall hazards while the employees worked

from residential roofs, even though the workers wore harnesses and there were ropes and

anchors on the roof,” said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA’s area director in Jacksonville. “Falls are the

leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry, which is why employers must ensure their

workers use fall protection systems properly.”

OSHA issued two willful citations for fall hazards due to employees performing roof work at

heights of eight to twelve fee without fall protection. A repeat violation was issued for failure to

ensure employees wore eye protection, exposing employees to potential eye injury. Two serious

violations were issued for failure to ensure workers wore helmets during debris cleanup when

the debris was thrown from the roof and for failure to ensure a ladder extended three feet beyond

the upper landing surface when providing roof access. Finally, a violation was cited for failure to

provide a first aid kit for employees.

If you are in the construction industry and work on residential houses, OSHA regulations still

apply to you. And as can be seen from this example, OSHA will still audit you at residential

worksites. So if you do not have a complete plan in place for occupational safety and health, it is

time to put one in place.

If you have any questions about your occupational safety and health programs and procedures,

please contact us. If you have anything to add about this case, please leave a comment.