Cal/OSHA Cites Solar Panel Installation Company
The agency launched an investigation after a worker was seriously injured by a fall from the roof of an Oakland home, and the investigation determined that Nexus Energy Systems, Inc. did not provide required fall protection for its workers.
Cal/OSHA recently has cited an Anaheim solar panel installation company and issued $193,905 in penalties for multiple serious workplace safety hazards, including one willful serious accident-related violation. The agency launched an investigation after a worker was seriously injured by a fall from the roof of an Oakland home, and the investigation determined that Nexus Energy Systems, Inc. did not provide required fall protection for its workers, according to the agency.
Cal/OSHA's news release said three workers were installing solar panels at the home in December 2018 when one of the workers lost his footing and fell 15 feet onto the concrete driveway, suffering a broken wrist and jaw. The workers were not wearing fall protection at the time.
"Falls from roofs are often deadly, and that is why employers must protect their employees from fall hazards and provide effective training," said Cal/OSHA Deputy Chief of Enforcement Debra Lee. "This employer was aware of these dangers and ignored its responsibility to address them."
The agency cited Nexus Energy Systems for five violations, including three related to the Oakland fall. The violations include a willful serious accident-related violation for failing to provide fall protection; two serious violations for failing to provide training and ensure compliance with fall protection measures; and two general violations for failing to implement an effective heat illness protection plan and an injury and illness prevention program that identifies and corrects site-specific hazards.
Cal/OSHA also cited the company for two additional violations stemming from an incident that investigators learned had taken place the previous September, when a worker suffered electrical burns while connecting solar panels to an energized breaker box. Cal/OSHA noted one serious continuing violation for failing to provide insulated gloves or tools while working on energized equipment and a general violation for the company's failure to investigate the industrial accident and take measures to correct safety hazards.
Employers in California are required to have an effective written injury and illness prevention program.