December 3, 2021

Queens contractor failed to provide lifesaving fall protection, training
to employees at Brooklyn worksite, US Department of Labor finds
Richmond Construction Inc. faces $374K in penalties after fatal worker fall

NEW YORK – A federal workplace safety investigation has found a Queens construction contractor failed to provide and ensure the use of effective fall protection safeguards that would have prevented the death of a worker who fell about 60 feet from a roof on May 27, 2021, during demolition of a Brooklyn building.

An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that Richmond Construction Inc. failed to provide and require the use of all required safeguards related to fall protection. A worker engaged in demolishing a building at 1045 Flatbush Ave. fell from the roof to the building's interior. Investigators also determined that the company failed to train its workers to recognize and avoid fall hazards.

OSHA cited Richmond Construction for nine willful, repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards and proposed penalties totaling $374,603. OSHA determined that Richmond Construction failed to:

• Provide employees with effective fall protection and fall protection training.
• Have a competent person inspect the roof, lifeline systems and fall arrest harnesses before the employees started work. A competent person has the knowledge to spot hazards and the authority to correct them.
• Have a qualified person supervise the design, installation and use of the horizontal lifeline.
• Ensure the lifeline system was capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds.
• Ensure employees did not connect their fall protection lanyards to anchor points below their harness rings.
• Provide eye and ear protection to employees operating jackhammers.

"Richmond Construction Inc. ignored its legal responsibility to protect workers from falls and the result was the loss of a worker's life," said OSHA Area Director Kay Gee in New York City. "Complying with OSHA standards is not optional. It is required to ensure workers return home unharmed at the end of the day."

Richmond Construction 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 provides useful information on hazards and safeguards involving demolition, protecting roofing workers and fall protection in construction.

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 workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

Learn more about OSHA.

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Media Contacts:

Ted Fitzgerald, 617-565-2075, fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov
James C. Lally, 617-565-2074, lally.james.c@dol.gov

Release Number: 21-2077-NEW

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department's Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).