Contractor Cited After Worker Falls and Suffers Fatal Injuries
The citations were for not checking that workers had fall protection and not training workers on correctly using fall arrest systems.
- By Alex Saurman
- Jul 15, 2022
A Florida contractor is being cited after a worker died from injuries.
According to a press release, the worker was employed by Union Carpentry LLC. In January 2022, the 19-year-old was working on trusses and plywood sheathing when they suffered fatal injuries from an almost 25-foot fall.
According to OSHA, falls are the number one cause of death for construction workers. About 351 workers were fatally injured from falls in 2020.
The contractor was cited for one willful violation and one serious violation. The willful violation was for not checking that employees had fall protection and the serious for a lack of training on the "correct use of fall arrest systems," according to the press release. OSHA proposed penalties of $32,113.
“Falls from elevation cause the most fatalities in the construction industry, and time and again, we find employers exposing workers to fall hazards by ignoring safety standards,” said OSHA Area Office Director Condell Eastmond in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the press release. “Employers who fail to comply with fall protection standards put the lives and well-being of employees at risk and leave families to grieve when unnecessary tragedy strikes. OSHA will remain vigilant in holding employers accountable when they disregard their legal obligation to provide a safe work environment.”
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.