OSHA Fines Georgia Construction Contractor for Safety Lapses Following Fatal Worker Fall
NOR-D LLC faces $61,065 in proposed penalties following the death of a 54-year-old worker.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jul 01, 2024
Following a fatal fall at a Macon, Georgia, warehouse, construction contractor NOR-D LLC has become the subject of an OSHA investigation, resulting in proposed penalties of $61,065.
According to a recent release, the November 2023 incident—which claimed the life of a 54-year-old worker—occurred on the first day of a five-man crew's assignment to remove tar and stone from metal roof panels. While dumping debris off the roof, the worker stepped on a skylight and fell approximately 19 feet, ultimately succumbing to severe injuries hours later.
OSHA’s investigation revealed that NOR-D LLC failed to equip employees with the required fall protection systems. The company also neglected to notify OSHA within the mandated eight hours following the incident. In a follow-up inspection two months later, OSHA inspectors found the company still did not provide the essential safety measures.
“After more than 20 years of experience as a roofing and framing contractor, NOR-D LLC should know the work its employees do is dangerous and potentially fatal, especially when safety protocols are ignored,” OSHA Area Director Joshua Turner in Atlanta said in a statement. “Falls are widely known as the leading cause of death in the construction industry and had required fall protections been in place in this case, a worker’s family, friends and co-workers would not be left now to grieve a terrible loss.”
OSHA identified nine serious violations by NOR-D LLC, including the absence of fall protection systems, lack of safety guardrails on skylights, improper use of forklifts, defective ladders, and failure to provide protective eyewear and adequate training for forklift operators. The agency also noted that the company did not ensure timely medical treatment for the injured worker.
NOR-D LLC now has 15 business days from the receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the agency’s findings.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.