After its latest OSHA inspection, a Florida contractor has increased the health and safety violations it’s been cited for to 23, its fines to more than $66K.

Fall hazards during roofing work

Coastal Building Systems, a roofing and siding contractor based in Amelia Island, Florida, was cited earlier this month after OSHA inspectors observed workers who were not properly protected from falls as they did roofing work at a residence in the Flora Parke subdivision. OSHA cited the company with one willful and one repeated safety violation. This inspection fell under OSHA's Regional Emphasis Program on Falls in Construction.

The willful citation was issued to the employer for not ensuring workers were properly protected from falls up to 8 feet. OSHA requires the use of a guardrail, safety net, or personal fall arrest systems when workers are working at heights of 6 feet or more above a lower level.

The repeat violation was cited for allowing workers to use powered nail guns without eye protection. OSHA cited the employer for this same violation in June 2012 at a work site in Saint Johns.

Recent proposed penalties: $108,500.

Eight out of 12

The agency has inspected the company 12 times since 2010 and eight of those inspections resulted in willful, repeat and serious citations for a lack of fall protection and other hazards.

"Despite previous citations and penalties, Coast Building Systems continues to willfully and repeatedly ignore worker safety," said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA's area director in Jacksonville. "The company's management corrects hazards while inspectors are at the job site, but allows hazards that put workers at risk of serious injury or death to return once inspectors leave."

After its latest violations, OSHA is considering placement of Coastal Building Systems in its Severe Violators Enforcement Program. The program focuses on recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat or failure-to-abate violations. Under the program, OSHA may inspect any of the employer's facilities if it has reasonable grounds to believe there are similar violations.