OSHA inspectors driving by a construction worksite on Oct. 20, 2014 observed roofers working without fall protection. During the inspection that followed, the agency found that Franco Roofing, Inc. of Yonkers was cited for similar fall hazard violations in June of 2011 and then again in July of 2012, for worksites located in Yonkers, New York and Greenwich, Connecticut.

This time around, Franco Roofing, Inc. was cited by OSHA for seven repeat and four serious violations of workplace safety and health standards. These include lack of fall protection for employees during the replacement of a residential roof, which exposed employees to falls hazards of more than 23 feet. An additional fall hazard stemmed from the employer's failure to provide general safety and health training, such as scaffold safety, ladder safety or fall protection training, to employees.

Proposed penalties amount to $73,920.

"The penalties proposed in this case demonstrate the severe nature of the cited hazards and the negligence of this employer when it comes to worker protection," said Diana Cortez, OSHA area director in Tarrytown.

Franco Roofing, Inc. has contested its citations and proposed penalties to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.