OSHA has cited Benco Builders of the Virginias Inc. for multiple safety hazards, including lack of fall protection, after an employee suffered serious injuries from a 19-foot fall off a roof. The Princeton, West Virginia-based contractor faces proposed penalties totaling $86,916.

After inspecting a work site where Benco was the general contractor responsible for demolishing an existing structure and constructing two steel/metal buildings, OSHA issued a willful citation for failure to provide and require employees to wear fall protection during roofing work. The agency also cited the company with eight serious violations for exposing workers to electrical, scaffolding, and forklift hazards; and for providing defective and uninspected fall protection equipment. OSHA also issued one other-than-serious citation for not developing and implementing a written hazard communication program for hazardous materials.

"Falls remain the leading cause of injury and death in the construction industry," said OSHA Area Office Director Prentice Cline, in Charleston. "Employers must provide proper fall protection and follow all safety requirements to prevent incidents like this from occurring."

To see a copy of the citations:  https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/BencoBuildersoftheVirginias_1240638.pdf.