U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Roofing Contractor For Repeatedly Exposing Employees to Fall Hazards

MARTIN, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Mike Krueger – doing business as Altogether Roofing in Martin, Ohio – for exposing employees to fall hazards. The contractor faces penalties totaling $247,544 for willful, repeated and serious violations of OSHA standards at construction sites in Toledo and Perrysburg, Ohio.

OSHA inspectors cited Krueger for failing to install and require the use of a guardrail, safety net, or personal fall arrest system, train employees on fall hazards, and develop an accident prevention program. Inspectors also cited the company for a repeated violation for unsafe ladder use, and a serious violation for failing to require eye protection for employees operating pneumatic nail guns. OSHA has cited Krueger for fall protection violations five times since 2008.

"Falls continue to be the number one cited standard by OSHA," said OSHA Toledo Area Director Kim Nelson.   "Employers are expected to provide safe workplaces for their workers."

OSHA offers compliance assistance resources on preventing falls from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs on the OSHA Fall Protection webpage at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the 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.

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 help 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 https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.