US Department of Labor highlights safe construction practices during 2026 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls

US Department of Labor highlights safe construction practices during 2026 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging construction employers and workers nationwide to participate in the 13th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, taking place May 4-8, 2026.The nationwide event focuses on preventing falls, the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry, and reinforces the importance of planning, training, and hazard awareness to protect workers.Because falls continue to pose a significant risk in construction, OSHA is making prevention a top priority. Through efforts like the Safety Stand-Down, the agency is working to drive real change and emphasizing that lasting progress is achieved through employers, workers, and industry partners working together.OSHA encourages employers to pause work throughout the week and engage employees ...

New York roofing contractor enters into settlement agreement with US Department of Labor after willfully failing to protect worker in 2021 fatal fall

New York roofing contractor enters into settlement agreement with US Department of Labor after willfully failing to protect worker in 2021 fatal fall
NEW YORK – A Long Island roofing contractor has entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to resolve willful safety violations found after an employee sustained fatal injuries from an 18-foot fall through an unprotected skylight in August 2021. An investigation by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that DME Construction Associates Inc. exposed workers to falls of up to 22 feet at unguarded roof openings and roof edges. OSHA found that the employer failed to provide any personal fall protection equipment to employees at the Oyster Bay municipal building worksite where workers were replacing a steel roof decking.The settlement affirms all citations issued to DME Construction Associates, including nine willful violations, eight of which were egregious per-instance citations for DME's failure to provide fall protection for each of the eight employees who worked on the roof. Under the agreement, DME must pay a $600,000 penalty and implement enhanced abatement measures to improve safety for workers, including developing a comprehensive written company safety plan, ensuring and documenting there is enough fall protection equipment for every worker on every jobsite, notifying OSHA of all upcoming jobs at least a week in advance, permitting warrantless entry by OSHA at all worksites, and requiring all DME supervisors to complete OSHA’s 30-hour construction safety training.DME Construction Associates and owner Peter Chardon await an April sentencing date after pleading guilty in November 2025 to a criminal violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act related to this fatality.Learn more about OSHA and protecting workers against falls.

Published at January 26, 2026 at 04:00AM
Read more at https://dol.gov

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