OSHA has cited Diaz Professional Construction LLC for exposing employees to falls at a Montgomery, Alabama, residential worksite. The framing contractor faces $31,879 in penalties.

The agency initiated the inspection as part of its Regional Emphasis Program for Falls in Construction after inspectors observed employees performing framing activities without fall protection. OSHA cited the company for failing to use a fall protection system, allowing employees to operate pneumatic nail guns without eye protection and failing to train workers on the fall hazards.

According to CPWR, the Center for Construction Research and Training, falls are the greatest cause of fatal construction injuries.

The most-violated OSHA standard is fall protection.

"Employers can protect workers from falls by ensuring that they wear required personal fall arrest or restraint systems, and by installing guardrail systems around roof openings,” said OSHA Mobile Area Director Jose Gonzalez.

OSHA's Fall Prevention/Protection webpage provides a list of resources on protecting construction workers from falls, including Protecting Roofing Workers, and Fall Protection in Construction.