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Region 2 News Release:   USDL-OSHA-00-115-9-21
Thurs., Sept. 21, 2000
Contact: Diana Petterson
PHONE: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222

OSHA PROPOSES A $42,500 PENALTY AGAINST A-LERT ROOF SYSTEMS IN FALFURRIAS, TEXAS

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited A-lert Roof Systems in of Falfurrias, Texas, with citations for safety violations totaling $42,000, announced the U.S. Department of Labor.

The OSHA investigation began March 23 when an employee, who was installing a metal facia roof covering, fell and died. The accident occurred at 100 N. Jersey St., in Falfurrias.

A-lert Roof Systems is headquartered in Fredonia, Kan., and employs about 60 workers company-wide and about six workers in Falfurrias.

OSHA cited the company with one serious, one repeat and one other-than-serious violations.

The serious violation was for failing to instruct employees in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions; failing to train employees on the correct procedure for erecting fall protection systems and failing to train employees on the limitations of the fall systems in use. A serious violation is defined as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

The repeat violation was for failing to install personal fall arrest systems to prevent a fall greater than six feet. A repeat violation is defined as one in which an employer has been cited previously for a substantially similar condition.

The other-than-serious violation is for failing to inspect portable fire extinguishers.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal hearing with the Corpus Christi area director, or to contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.