Region 7 News Release: 13-2087-KAN
Nov. 4, 2013
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites JMA Roofing after worker falls
from roof, resulting in a fatality in Omaha, Neb.

OMAHA, Neb. – Ghaleb N. Suleiman, who operates JMA Roofing, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for one repeat and one other-than-serious safety violation following the death of a worker on July 17 at an Omaha job site. The worker fell to the ground while replacing the rubber membrane on the roof, known as ethylene propylene diene monomer, often used for water resistance.

"It's unacceptable that JMA Roofing failed to provide and ensure that workers used fall protection to prevent severe injuries," said Marcia Drumm, OSHA's acting regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "Falls remain the leading cause of death and injury in the construction industry. Companies must protect their workers by following safety regulations."

One repeat violation was issued for failing to protect workers from falls while performing work on a low-slope roof more than 6 feet above the ground. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. A similar violation was cited in 2010.

One other-than-serious violation was cited for failing to certify that workers had been trained in fall protection standards and requirements. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

OSHA's fall prevention campaign provides employers and workers with lifesaving information and educational materials about working safely on ladders, scaffolds and roofs. It was developed in partnership with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda program. More information on fall protection standards is available in English and Spanish at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls.

Proposed penalties total $70,000. This is the third inspection on the Bennington-based company.

JMA Roofing 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.

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 Omaha Area Office at 402-553-0171.

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 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.