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,...
Post a Comment

Lake Zurich roofing contractor continues to ignore safety regulations, exposing workers to deadly fall hazards in 8 inspections since 2020

-
Lake Zurich roofing contractor continues to ignore safety regulations, exposing workers to deadly fall hazards in 8 inspections since 2020
LAKE ZURICH, IL – For the eighth time since 2020, federal workplace safety inspectors have cited a Lake Zurich roofing contractor for exposing workers to falls from elevation, the leading cause of fatal and serious injuries among people employed in the construction industry.Inspectors with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration observed employees of Fino Exterior Inc. working atop residential structures without legally required fall protection equipment on four occasions in 2024, in Palatine on Feb. 6, Orland Park on June 12, Palos Heights on Aug. 16 and Shorewood on Oct. 16. Fino Exterior’s troubling history of ignoring federal safety regulations continued as OSHA cited the company for 13 safety violations in three inspections in four months and proposed $262,631 in penalties. “Fino Exterior’s blatant disregard for its employees’ safety is a callous invitation to tragedy,” explained OSHA Chicago South Area Director James Martineck in Tinley Park, Illinois. “All too often, our inspectors find construction contractors violating regulations repeatedly in their misguided belief that their workers will not fall victim to serious injuries or worse.” In addition to a lack of fall protection, OSHA cited Fino Exterior for the following violations:Permitting employees to work near energized power lines.Not providing employees with required hard hats.Failing to train workers in fall protection hazards and prevention.Lack of eye protection for workers operating pneumatic nail guns.Improper use of ladders. “A worker can lose their footing and fall off a roof in seconds,” Martineck added. “Falls from elevation can cause life-altering and deadly injuries all of which can be prevented by using required protective equipment and training workers in its use. Employers who ignore their obligations are putting their workers’ lives and well-being in serious risk.”The 2024 infractions continue a series of similar citations issued after six inspections since 2020 and two others issued under a previous operating name, Arellano Roofing Corp. Fino Exteriors Inc. is currently liable for $65,115 in unpaid OSHA penalties.The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 1,069 construction workers died on the job in 2022 and395 of those deaths were fall-related. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that falls caused about 20,000 worker injuries annually between 2013 and 2022.OSHA’s stop falls website offers safety information and video presentationsin English and Spanish to teach workers about fall hazards and proper safety procedures. The agency also offers compliance assistance resources on Protecting Roofing Workers and recommendations for developing a safety and health program.Learn more about OSHA. 

Published at December 04, 2024 at 04:00AM
Read more at https://dol.gov

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Settlement affirms willful OSHA violations, $215K penalties, against contractors for fall hazards at multiple New Jersey work sites

-
Settlement affirms willful OSHA violations, $215K penalties, against contractors for fall hazards at multiple New Jersey work sites HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ – Two related North Jersey construction contractor companies – Primetime Construction LLC and its subsidiary Primetime Contractors LLC of Paterson – have agreed to pay $215,000 in penalties and undertake several significant safety measures to resolve numerous safety violations found at five Paterson construction worksites in 2021, as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor.The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initially cited Primetime Contractors LLC for four willful violations that occurred in September 2021 after agency inspectors found the employer exposing workers to fall hazards by repeatedly failing to ensure construction site stairways at company worksites had handrails and stair rails, even after being counseled by OSHA about the relevant safety requirements. Primetime Contrac...
Read more

US Department of Labor awards $86M to 14 states for investment in skills training programs for critical in-demand, emerging industries

-
US Department of Labor awards $86M to 14 states for investment in skills training programs for critical in-demand, emerging industries WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $86 million in Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants to 14 states to accelerate innovation, strengthen domestic production, and address critical workforce needs across the country, with more than $20 million of the funding supporting the revitalization of the domestic shipbuilding industry, training workers in welding, marine electrical, manufacturing, and other skilled trades.Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, these grants will provide outcome-based reimbursements to employers for providing training in high-demand and emerging industries that align with President Trump’s Executive Order 14278, Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future, and Executive Order 14629, Restoring America’s Mariti...
Read more

St. Louis contractor faces $258K in fines after exposing roofing workers to potentially deadly fall hazards 5 times in 7 weeks at Wentzville worksites

-
St. Louis contractor faces $258K in fines after exposing roofing workers to potentially deadly fall hazards 5 times in 7 weeks at Wentzville worksites ST. LOUIS – Federal workplace safety inspectors have cited a Missouri roofing contractor for 21 violations for illegally exposing roof workers — five times in seven weeks — at six Wentzville residential worksites to the dangers of fall hazards, the construction industry’s leading cause of serious injuries and death. The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened its investigations after observing 13 Construction & Pro Services LLC allowing its employees to work on roofs without required protection equipment at separate sites on Oct. 31, Nov. 2 and Dec. 14, 2023.Specifically, OSHA alleges the company allowed employees to work without protection at heights greater than six feet, did not have a competent person inspect and evaluate job site hazards daily and failed to train workers to recognize ...
Read more