December 10, 2024

Newark roofing contractor faces $328K in fines after investigators find workers exposed repeatedly to fall hazards at 3 worksites in a month

Repeated failures add RRC Home Improvement to OSHA's 'Severe Violator' list

NEWARK, NJ – Federal workplace safety officials have again cited a Newark construction contractor for repeatedly violating U.S. Department of Labor safety requirements at three North Jersey worksites, exposing employees to falls from elevations, the construction industry's leading cause of death and serious injuries.

The department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected a RRC Home Improvement Inc. worksite in Dover in June 2024 after receiving reports of employees working on a roof without fall protection. A month after warning the company about the hazard, OSHA inspectors opened inspections at two RRC worksites in Lodi in July 2024 as part of the agency's National Emphasis Program for Falls in Construction. Again, inspectors observed employees working without required fall protection. The inspections also uncovered violations involving lack of hard hats, eye protection, and fire extinguishers, as well as non-compliant pump jack scaffold poles and unsafe ladder use.

Following the three inspections, OSHA cited RRC Home Improvement for four willful and seven serious violations for which the company faces $328,545 in proposed penalties.

In five inspections since 2017, OSHA has cited the company for failing to provide workers with fall protection and added RRC Home Improvement to the agency's Severe Violators Enforcement Program given the willful nature of the fall-related offenses.

"Failing to provide and use fall protection when working at elevation - in this case on rooftops - is a disaster waiting to happen," said OSHA Area Director Lisa Levy in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. "Despite being cited multiple times since 2017, RRC Home Improvement continues to disregard critical safety standards, putting workers at grave risk. Falls remain the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries in the construction industry, making this repeated negligence unacceptable."

Since 2006, RRC Home Improvement Inc. has offered commercial roofing, specialty roofing and residential roofing services throughout New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

The company 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.

OSHA's website includes information on developing a workplace safety and health program, that applies to all workplaces. OSHA also offers free work-specific tools. Employers can contact the agency for information about OSHA's compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards. 

Learn more about OSHA.

Media Contact: 

Leni Fortson, 215-861-5102, uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov

Release Number:  24-2512-NEW