The former owner of a framing company in Florida has been sentenced to 30 days in prison, after pleading guilty to one count of willfully violating federal fall protection standards.

Stalin Rene Barahona, former owner of the now-dissolved SB Framing Services Inc. in Naples will begin serving his sentence on Feb. 26, 2020.

The sentence handed down by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division is the result of a fatality investigation conducted by OSHA after an SB Framing Services' employee fatally fell while doing construction work at a new residence in Naples. OSHA cited the company for a willful violation for failing to ensure the use of a fall protection system, and a serious violation for failing to train employees to recognize potential fall hazards.

“This enforcement action demonstrates that OSHA will utilize every resource available to ensure that safety and health standards are followed to protect employees from potential risk,” said OSHA's Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer, in Atlanta, Georgia.

OSHA's Fall Protection in Residential Construction webpage provides resources that explain fall protection requirements for certain construction activities, types of fall protection systems and safe work practices to prevent falls.