Washington Fines Yakima County Roofing Contractor After Worker's Fatal Fall
State investigators found an unguarded skylight and said the company had not identified the fall hazard or given workers adequate training on it.
- By Danielle Naidu
- Oct 26, 2026
A roofer in Wapato, Washington, died after plunging through a skylight more than 25 feet onto the concrete floor inside a fruit packing warehouse. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) cited the employer, Leslie & Campbell Inc. of Union Gap, Sept. 8 and fined it $48,803.
Nothing guarded the skylight against falls, L&I's investigation found. Investigators also determined that the company had not identified skylights as a danger for falls and had trained workers inadequately on that risk. Leslie & Campbell is appealing both the penalty and the citation.
The fatal fall case is the latest of several roofing citations L&I has issued in recent months. The largest, $238,680, went June 30 to Roof Doctor Inc. of Olympia for four willful serious and two serious fall protection violations after part of a roof collapsed beneath a Tumwater worker. Inspectors found his safety rope was too long, and he was hospitalized. Roof Doctor is appealing its most recent citation.
Dabella/Reve Exteriors LLC of Marysville drew a $176,580 fine for two willful serious violations in an Aug. 19 citation. Bartlett Homes & Roofing LLC of Veradale, Washington, was fined $179,964 for willful serious and repeat serious violations in a June 3 citation. Both are appealing. Their subcontractors on those jobs, Suruka House LLC and Ivan's Roofing Spokane LLC, drew fines of $34,668 and $37,415, respectively.
All of the companies named except Suruka House and Ivan's Roofing belong to L&I's Severe Violators Enforcement Program because of past willful violations of fall protection rules. Membership brings follow-up inspections and closer L&I scrutiny.
About the Author
Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.