All-Set Roofing and Construction exposes workers to fall hazards

FOSTORIA, Ohio — All-Set Roofing and Construction Inc. allowed three employees to work 15 feet up on a roof to install shingles without fall protection at a residence in Fostoria. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the Bowling Green company for one willful and one repeat violation, with proposed penalties of $44,660.

"Falls are a leading cause of death in the construction industry, and many fatalities occur when a worker falls from a height of 10 feet or less," said Kim Nelson, OSHA's area director in Toledo. "All-Set disregarded these three employees' lives and asked them to work on a roof without required fall protection."

OSHA determined during its Aug. 6, 2014, inspection that on-site workers lacked basic protection, such as guardrails, safety nets, warning-line systems or personal fall arrest systems, which violated OSHA's construction safety standards. The company was cited for one willful violation. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirement, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.

An additional violation was cited for All-Set's failure to train employees on fall hazards and procedures for prevention. The company was cited previously for this violation in February 2014 at a different Bowling Green jobsite.

OSHA issues repeat violations if an employer previously was cited for the same or a similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

OSHA maintains a Web page with detailed information in English and Spanish on fall protection standards. The page offers fact sheets, posters and videos that vividly illustrate various fall hazards and appropriate preventive measures. OSHA standards require that an effective form of fall protection be in use when workers perform construction activities 6 feet or more above the next lower level. OSHA's ongoing Fall Prevention Campaign provides employers with lifesaving information and educational materials on how to create a plan to prevent falls, provide the right equipment for workers and train employees to use that equipment properly. The campaign launched in 2012. It was developed in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda program.

All-Set has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Toledo Area Office at 419-259-7542.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.