OSHA inspectors who arrived at a Florida construction site to investigate an employee’s near-fatal fall didn’t have to look far to find fall and other safety hazards at the project. Three of the four Florida-based residential contractors involved with the project earned citations for fall hazard-related violations. The four companies were cited for a total of 12 violations, with $220,114 in proposed penalties.

The employee who fell at the Avery Square residential construction site suffered serious injuries. OSHA found that his employer, Southern Living Contractors Inc., failed to provide fall protection to employees who were performing roofing activities.

Crown Roofing LLC, another company involved with the project, was also cited for a lack of fall protection, as well as allowing workers to use ladders improperly and exposing them to struck-by hazards from falling construction debris.

Fall-related citations were also issued to Paramount Drywall Inc. – operating as Paramount Stucco LLC – for exposing employees to fall hazards by failing to provide fall protection and permitting them to climb the scaffold frame instead of an approved ladder to access the work platform.

A fourth contractor, Sunny Grove Landscaping and Nursery Inc., was issued citations for for exposing employees to struck-by hazards from falling debris.

OSHA conducted the inspection under its Regional Emphasis Program on Falls in Construction. Falls are the top cause of on-the-job fatalities in the construction industry.