Region 5 News Release: 10-1380-CHI
Oct. 13, 2010
Contact: Rhonda Burke Scott Allen
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4727
Email: burke.rhonda@dol.gov allen.scott@dol.gov
US Labor Department's OSHA fines Barringer Brothers Roofing
$106,400 for failing to provide fall protection, proper training
Company cited for violations at several worksites
BELLEVILLE, Ill. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Barringer Brothers Roofing Inc., a residential roofing contractor in Belleville, for violations in connection with fall hazards. Proposed penalties total $106,400.
"By not complying with fall protection and required training even after repeated OSHA inspections, Barringer Brothers Roofing has shown a blatant disregard for the safety of its workers," said OSHA Area Director Nick Walters. "OSHA is committed to ensuring that this company provides the training and protection its employees need to safely perform their jobs. These citations and penalties should send the message that we are serious."
OSHA has issued the company three willful citations, for a lack of fall protection on a residential construction site. Those citations carry proposed penalties of $84,000. The inspections were conducted at various jobsites in April and June. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements or plain indifference to employee safety and health.
The company also has been issued six serious citations with penalties totaling $16,800. Three citations were issued for not having an accident prevention program. Another three serious citations were issued for not providing a fall hazards training program. An OSHA violation is serious if death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists.
Barringer Brothers Roofing also received a repeat violation with a penalty of $5,600, for lack of a grasping handle and/or not having a ladder extended at least three feet above the roofing work site. OSHA issues repeat violations if an employer previously was cited for the same or a similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last three years.
The company 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.
Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Fairview Heights District Office at 618-632-8612. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).
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 assure 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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