Fall, Struck-By Hazards Add Up to $155,800 in Fines for Roofing Firm
In December 2010, OSHA began its inspection at the Cumberland Mall in Atlanta after Peach State Roofing employees were observed exposed to a fall hazard while working along the edge of a flat roof.
OSHA has cited Peach State Roofing Inc. of Lawrenceville, Ga., with five safety violations for exposing workers to fall hazards at work sites in Atlanta and Temple Terrace, Fla., while renovating and installing roofs. Proposed penalties total $155,800.
In December 2010, OSHA began its inspection at the Cumberland Mall in Atlanta after Peach State Roofing employees were observed exposed to a fall hazard while working along the edge of a flat roof. In January, employees at the Temple Terrace downtown redevelopment location were observed working on two roofs without fall protection.
For the Cumberland Mall site hazards, the company has been cited for one repeat violation with a $70,000 penalty for allowing employees to be exposed to falling approximately 36 feet to the ground while installing roof insulation and placing debris into a chute. Peach State Roofing was most recently cited in May 2008 for similar violations at a Pinellas Park, Fla., work site.
A serious violation also was cited at this location for failing to require workers to wear eye protection, thus exposing them to struck-by hazards. The proposed penalty is $4,400.
For the Temple Terrace site hazards, the employer has been cited for one willful violation with a penalty of $70,000 for exposing workers to a fall of 29 feet while installing roofing tile by failing to provide fall protection.
Additionally, two serious violations with $11,400 in fines include exposing employees to struck-by hazards by not requiring them to wear eye protection and allowing workers to carry heavy roofing tiles up a ladder by balancing them on their shoulders with one hand, which exposed them to a 9-foot fall.
"This employer knows what the fall protection requirements are, but continues to expose employees to the risk of serious injury or death," said Andre Richards, director of OSHA's Atlanta-West Area Office. "OSHA will not tolerate this blatant disregard for workers' safety."