U.S. Department of Labor and Syracuse Roofing Contractor Reach Agreement to Resolve Citations and Penalties

SYRACUSE, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Syracuse-based roofing contractor The Roofing Guys Inc. have reached a settlement to resolve citations and penalties issued by OSHA. This settlement resolves four separate citations for fall protection violations issued to the company in 2016 and 2017.

The Roofing Guys Inc. has agreed to improve fall protection safeguards; comply with OSHA’s fall protection requirements; provide 10-hour OSHA training to all employees; and certify that all safety officers and supervisors receive a 30-hour OSHA training course. The company must also arrange annual reviews by the New York State On-Site Consultation Program; hold accountable safety officers and supervisors who do not comply with OSHA fall protection standards; and pay $175,000 in penalties.

In addition, The Roofing Guys Inc. will sponsor a fall protection presentation or public service announcement for area roofers; provide OSHA with its fall protection plan and a list of its upcoming roofing jobs every month; and allow OSHA unfettered access to its worksites.

“This agreement provides for effective and ongoing safeguards to protect the company’s employees against deadly or disabling falls,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA New York-area Regional Administrator.

“We are pleased with the settlement and the company’s commitment to it. We hope it serves as a template for other employers that strive to protect their employees against a common and often deadly construction hazard,” said Jeffrey S. Rogoff, Regional Solicitor of Labor.

Litigated by Senior Trial Attorney Susan Jacobs of the Department of Labor’s New York Regional Solicitor’s Office, the settlement agreement became a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission on April 26, 2018.

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.

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Acosta v. The Roofing Guys Inc.
OSHRC Docket Nos.  16-2007, 17-0202, 17-0203, 17-0204.