OSHA slams West Virginia contractor with penalties over fall hazards

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Roofing Solutions LLC of Charleston, West Virginia, for exposing employees to falls and other safety and health hazards at worksites in Charleston and Nitro, West Virginia. The company faces $202,988 in penalties.

OSHA initiated an inspection after receiving complaints alleging that employees were working on roofs without fall protection. The company received citations for failing to provide employees with proper fall protection and training on fall hazards. Roofing Solutions LLC also failed to have a required safety and health program and ensure that employees engaged in roofing activities used hardhats and proper ladders.

“The employer’s failure to take appropriate steps to protect employees from falls and other hazards exposed workers to serious, potentially fatal injuries,” says OSHA West Virginia Area Director Prentice Cline. “Employers are required by law to use personal fall arrest systems when workers perform roofing work.”

OSHA’s Protecting Roofing Workers booklet describes other types of fall protection, including fall restraint and guardrail systems, and requirements for using extension ladders and stepladders.

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.