January 14, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Proposes $1,007,717 in Fines Against
North Florida Roofing Contractor for Egregious Fall Hazards

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Florida Roofing Experts Inc. – a Jacksonville, Florida, roofing contractor owned by Travis Slaughter – for failing to protect workers from falls at two work sites in Fleming Island and one in Middleburg, Florida. Florida Roofing Experts Inc. faces penalties totaling $1,007,717.

OSHA initiated the inspections on July 11 and 12, 2019, after receiving complaints on July 9, 2019 of employees performing residential re-roofing activities without fall protection. Given the employer's extensive history of violations, pursuant to OSHA's egregious citation policy, the agency issued eight willful citations for failing to protect employees from fall hazards.

"This employer has an extensive OSHA history with willful, serious, and repeat violations that has demonstrated an egregious disregard for the safety of their workers," said OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer, in Atlanta, Georgia. "The employer continues to allow employees to work without fall protection, and has made no reasonable effort to eliminate the risk."

"OSHA has extensive resources to help employers and workers understand how to comply with fall protection standards," stated Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. "Fall protection and training requirements that address falls continue to be among the top 10 cited OSHA standards. Fatalities and injuries from falls are preventable."

Given these investigations and citations, OSHA has placed Florida Roofing Experts in the agency's Severe Violator Enforcement Program due to high-gravity willful, egregious violations related to fall hazards.

OSHA has investigated Florida Roofing Experts and its predecessor, Great White Construction, 19 times within the last seven years, resulting in 42 citations related to improper fall protection, ladder use, and eye protection.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed 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.

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Media Contacts:

Michael D'Aquino, 678-237-0630, daquino.michael@dol.gov
Eric Lucero, 678-237-0630, lucero.eric.r@dol.gov

Release Number: 20-16-ATL (15)

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