An OSHA investigation begun after a worker plunged 35 feet to his death at a Stamford, Connecticut worksite has ended with two citations against his employer.

The Oct. 25, 2001 fatality occurred while employees of American Building LLC, a Trumbull-based steel erection contractor, were installing metal roofing onto a prefabricated steel building.

OSHA inspectors found that employees lacked proper fall protection and were not adequately trained to recognize and avoid fall hazards. The safety harnesses of three of the four employees working on the roof, including the victim, were not tied off to anchorage points to prevent falls, and the fourth employee's safety lanyard was too long to protect him against a fall.

"This employer was well aware that these workers were exposed to falls but did not take steps to eliminate a significant hazard," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport.

OSHA cited American Building with one willful violation for the lack of fall protection and one serious violation for the lack of training. The company faces a total of $51,700 in proposed fines.