A fatal fall was among the OSHA enforcement cases finalized over the past few days – violations that show a persistent failure among some construction industry employers to address fall hazards. Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in construction.

In Dayton, Ohio, a company that has been cited for fall protection violations five times since 2014 was cited once again. OSHA inspectors found that Roofs by Antonio LLC exposed employees to fall hazards while they installed shingles on a sloped roof in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Dayton-based company faces penalties of $159,118 for repeatedly violating OSHA’s fall protection standards.

One willful violation and two serious safety violations stemmed from a July 13, 2019, inspection for failing to provide and install a fall protection system, and failing to have a competent person inspect the worksite daily.

In Colorado, homebuilder Century Communities Inc. was cited by OSHA for exposing employees to fall hazards. The company faces $132,598 in penalties.

An inspection at a Century Communities Inc. construction site revealed that the company failed to conduct regular inspections of the jobsite, and ensure that workers used adequate fall protection during framing and roofing activities. OSHA conducted the investigation under the Regional Emphasis Program on Fall Hazards in Construction.

And a fatal fall at a worksite in Melbourne, Florida resulted in $26,142 in penalties against Hough Roofing Inc. OSHA inspectors determined that the Palm Bay-based company failed to ensure employees used fall protection, train employees on recognizing fall hazards and on the proper use of a portable ladder, and ensure portable ladders extended 3 feet above the upper landing.

The worker fell while performing roofing activities.

OSHA initiated the inspection in conjunction with the agency’s Regional Emphasis Program for Falls in Construction.

“Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in construction,” said OSHA Area Director Les Grove, in Tampa, Florida. “Tragedies like this can be prevented if the employer ensures workers are provided and utilize fall protection during the course of all roofing operations.”

OSHA offers compliance assistance resources on how to prevent falls from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs on the OSHA Fall Protection webpage at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/.

Learn more about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources on fall protection in construction.