Region 4 News Release: 12-2356-DAL
Dec. 13, 2012
Contact: Elizabeth Todd Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Lawrenceville, Ga.-based roofing
company with a willful violation for exposing workers to fall hazards

SPRING, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Lawrenceville, Ga.-based Peach State Roofing with a willful violation for exposing roofing workers to fall hazards at its work site on FM 2920 in Spring. OSHA began the inspection in October as part of its regional emphasis program on construction hazards. The proposed penalty totals $70,000.

"Employers have a responsibility to ensure that workers exposed to fall hazards are provided with fall protection equipment appropriate for the job at all times when a fall hazard is present," said David Doucet, OSHA's area director at its Houston North area office. "Falls are the leading cause of death in construction and can easily be prevented by planning ahead to do the job safely, providing workers with proper equipment and training them to recognize and address fall hazards. It is fortunate in this case that no one was injured."

The willful violation was cited for failing to provide personal protective equipment, such as harnesses, to protect workers from falls of 6 feet or more above lower levels. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are working with trade associations, labor unions, employers, universities, community and faith-based organizations and consulates to provide employers and workers-especially vulnerable, low-literacy workers-with education and training on common-sense fall prevention equipment and strategies that save lives. OSHA has created a new fall prevention Web page at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls that has detailed information in English and Spanish on fall protection standards. The page includes fact sheets, posters and fall prevention videos that vividly illustrate various fall hazards and appropriate preventive measures.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Austin or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Austin office at 512-374-0271.

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 http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-893-7828 or TTY 202-893-7755.