Federal investigators cite Florida roofing contractor for willfully, repeatedly ignoring fall protection standards, propose $349K in fines

Federal investigators cite Florida roofing contractor for willfully, repeatedly ignoring fall protection standards, propose $349K in fines ORLANDO, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Florida roofing company for willfully putting workers at risk of falling at residential construction sites. Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that on Jan. 21, 2026, Orchids Builders LLC exposed workers to a 10-foot fall hazard when it failed to provide them with fall protection while they installed sheathing on a sloped roof at a Rockledge worksite. On March 10, 2026, OSHA investigators found the employer exposed a worker to a 9-foot fall hazard while installing metal hurricane clips at another Rockledge worksite. OSHA also found that Orchids Builders failed to prepare and maintain written fall protection training certificates for employees at both worksites, did not ensure workers had eye protection while using nail guns,...

Schaumburg, Illinois, contractor again found exposing workers to deadly trench cave-in hazards, this time at Broadview worksite

Schaumburg, Illinois, contractor again found exposing workers to deadly trench cave-in hazards, this time at Broadview worksite
BROADVIEW, IL ‒ Federal safety investigators found a Schaumburg excavating contractor has again failed to follow federally mandated safety measures to protect workers from potentially deadly trenches cave-ins. Trench collapses are among the construction industry’s most lethal hazards. In the first six months of 2022, OSHA reports 22 workers suffered fatal injuries in trenching and excavation work. On June 30, 2022, a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspector observed two employees of A. Lamp Concrete Contractors Inc. in a 7-foot-deep trench in Broadview working on municipal sewer and water lines without adequate cave-in protection or safe ways to get in and out of the trench. Following its investigation, OSHA cited the company for three repeat, one serious and one other-than-serious violations of federal trenching and excavation standards, and proposed penalties of $118,962. The agency cited A. Lamp Concrete in 2018 and 2021 for exposing workers to cave-in hazards. “In mere seconds, thousands of pounds of soil can trap a worker in a trench collapse and lead to serious and often fatal injuries,” explained U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Chicago North Area Director Angeline Loftus in Arlington Heights, Illinois. “Our inspector found that a company foreman was supervising the work of two employees in the unprotected trench, which demonstrates the company’s lack of concern for federal regulations, industry-recognized best practices and its legal responsibility to protect workers on the job.” OSHA has a national emphasis program on trenching and excavations. Trenching standards require protective systems on trenches deeper than 5 feet, and soil and other materials kept at least 2 feet from the edge of a trench. Additionally, trenches must be inspected by a knowledgeable person, be free of standing water and atmospheric hazards and have a safe means of entering and exiting prior to allowing a worker to enter. Each June, the National Utility Contractors Assoc. recognizes Trench Safety Month. OSHA collaborates with the association for “Trench Safety Stand-Downs” throughout the month. OSHA’s trenching and excavation webpage provides additional information on trenching hazards and solutions. including a safety video. Learn more about OSHA.

Published at November 21, 2022 at 04:00PM
Read more at https://dol.gov

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