June 1, 2020   

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Two Construction Contractors After Employee Falls at Florida Worksite

PANAMA CITY, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited two Florida construction contractors – CMR Construction & Roofing LLC of Panama City, Florida, and Modern Construction Experts LLC of Stuart, Florida – for failing to protect employees from fall hazards at a construction worksite in Panama City, Florida. The two companies face $126,169 in penalties.

An employee fatally fell 84 feet while working on the roof of a hotel. OSHA cited the contractors for failing to provide employees a fall protection system while working from heights. 

“Workplace safety standards exist to ensure that workers return to their families at the end of each day free from harm,” said OSHA Jacksonville Area Director Michelle Gonzalez. “Disregarding legal obligations to identify and eliminate hazards can cause tragedies.”

OSHA’s Fall Protection in Construction booklet provides information on regulatory standards, including conventional fall protection systems, fall restraints, and training. The Fall Protection webpage offers extensive reference materials to help employers and workers recognize and prevent fall hazards.

Read the citations for CMR Construction & Roofing LLC and Modern Construction Experts LLC.

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of their 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 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 R. Lucero, 678-237-0630, lucero.eric.r@dol.gov

Release Number: 20-986-ATL (206)

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).