Florida Roofing Contractor Charged $2,202,049 for Failing to Pay Penalties
One company is facing nearly two million dollars in fines after failing to pay outstanding penalties and follow OSHA requirements.
A Jacksonville, Florida-based roofing contractor was found in contempt of court for failing to pay $2,202,049 in penalties assessed by OSHA for safety and health violations at Florida worksites.
The filed petition was for a summary enforcement against Great White Construction Inc., Florida Roofing Experts Inc. and owner Travis Slaughter, and it was to enforce 12 final orders of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC). Those final orders include “multiple egregious, willful and repeat violations for lack of fall protection and other safety and health hazards at worksites in Florida.” On the dates of October 2, 2017 and June 5, 2018, the court granted the department’s petition, enforcing the final orders of the commission.
However, on August 28, 2019, the department filed a Petition for Civil Contempt against the Great White Construction Inc. and Florida Roofing Experts Inc. and Slaughter. It claimed these parties failed to comply with the court’s October 2017 and June 2018 orders and that the companies failed to provide proof of abatement, continued to violate OSHA standards and failed to pay the penalties assessed.
On January 3, 2020, the court held the companies and Slaughter in civil contempt, ordering the companies and Slaughter to pay the outstanding penalties of $2,202,049 plus interest and fees. The court also required the companies to certify that they had corrected the violations within 10 days of the court’s order.
Should the companies and Slaughter fail to comply, they face coercive sanctions including incarceration and other relief the court deems proper.
“This enforcement action demonstrates that OSHA will utilize every resource available to ensure that safety and health standards are followed to protect workers,” said Solicitor of Labor Kate O’Scannlain. “Employers that ignore multiple court orders requiring correction of violations and payment of penalties will be held accountable.”
The court claims this is the best remedy to address the companies’ longstanding refusal to protect workers and pay the associated penalties. Read the OSHA news release on the topic for more information.