NY Roofing Contractor Cited for Fall Violations
Construction contractors have a duty to those people who work for them. If a company fails to protect their workers from harm, they can face sanctions from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, not to mention the risks faced should those workers be involved in a preventable accident.
According to a News Release from OSHA, a Rochester roofing contractor is facing serious penalties following an inspection.
The company, A.M. Stern Inc., had workers installing a roof on O’Connor Road in Fairport. These workers were found to be exposed to an elevated risk of falling when the company failed to safeguard them in a few different ways.
First the contractor was cited with a willful citation for failing to protect workers on an unprotected edge of the building’s roof. They were also cited with a repeat violation when the onsite safety monitor was too far away from the workers to see the risk and alert them to it. A similar citation had come in 2008.
In addition, the contractor faces another five serious citations, including not providing training for employers who are required to use respirators, for allowing an untrained worker to operate a forklift, and for failing to provide workers with safety information on hazardous chemicals.
In all, the company faces a total of nearly $160,000 in fines for their violations.
“Unfortunately, our inspectors all too often encounter job sites where fall protection is inadequate or absent, exposing workers to the number one killer in construction work,” said OSHA’s Buffalo area director Arthur Duber. “It’s imperative that employers in western New York and elsewhere provide effective fall protection for their employees and ensure that their workers are trained to recognize and address fall hazards.
When you work in construction, you aren’t the only one who has a responsibility to keep yourself safe. Your employer, the property owner, and several others have a stake in your safety. When anyone falls short of their responsibility, the risk of a serious accident increases.
Whether you fall, are hurt by malfunctioning equipment, or are hit by flying debris, you have rights and may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
The construction accident attorneys of Ginarte are committed to helping construction workers who are hurt on the job. If you’ve been injured in an accident at work, contact us today to discuss your case. We can be reached for a free consultation at (888) GINARTE.
