[Note: This blog post was picked up by the Ohio Employer Law Blog Sept. 14 weekly blog roundup]
This Florida roofing company literally fell down on the job when it came to protecting its workers from fall hazards.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Coastal Roofing Inc. for exposing employees to fall and other hazards at a St. Johns, Florida, worksite. The Jacksonville-based roofing company faces $105,283 in proposed penalties.
OSHA investigated the company as part of the Agency’s Regional Emphasis Program on Falls in Construction. Coastal Roofing was cited for failing to ensure employees utilized a fall protection system. OSHA also cited the contractor for failing to ensure employees utilized eye protection and not extending a portable ladder 3 feet above the roof landing. OSHA cited the company for similar safety violations in January 2018.
“The use of fall protection is not an option – it is a legal requirement that saves lives,” said OSHA Jacksonville Acting Area Office Director Michelle Gonzalez. “This company’s continued failure to comply with fall protection standards puts the lives of its employees at risk for serious or fatal injury.”
The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov/.
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Posted by Cherry Morgan on November 1, 2023 at 1:14 am
It’s quite alarming to read about Coastal Roofing Inc.’s repeated violations of fall protection and safety regulations. The safety of workers should always be a top priority, and it’s disheartening to see a company failing in this regard.
I’m glad to see that OSHA is taking these violations seriously and imposing fines to hold the company accountable for its actions. Michelle Gonzalez’s statement about the importance of fall protection is absolutely right – it’s not just a recommendation but a legal requirement that can save lives.
The fact that Coastal Roofing had similar safety violations in the past is concerning. It’s crucial for companies to learn from previous mistakes and prioritize the safety and well-being of their employees.
Thank you for sharing this information, as it serves as a reminder of the importance of workplace safety and the consequences that can result from noncompliance. I hope this incident encourages Coastal Roofing and other companies to take safety measures more seriously in the future.
Posted by Joe Lustig on November 5, 2023 at 4:41 pm
Thank you for your comment and for reading my blog
Posted by Joe Lustig on February 11, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Thank you for your comment and for reading my post.