Region 8 News Release: 09-1167-DEN
Sept. 22, 2009
Contact: Jeremy Eggers
Phone: 303-844-1299

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites 2 Texas-based companies for fall hazards at Colorado worksite
Penalties total more than $97,000

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Englewood Area Office has cited two Texas-based companies, United Renovations and ABC Roofing, with penalties of $59,000 and $38,750, respectively, for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act related to fall hazards disclosed at an Aurora, Colo., worksite.

OSHA's investigation led to one alleged willful and two alleged serious citations against United Renovation, based out of Carrolton, Texas, and one alleged willful, two alleged serious and one alleged other-than-serious citations against ABC Roofing, based out of Euless, Texas. Both companies were engaged in roofing work at the Aurora worksite.

"Fall hazards are the biggest killers in the construction industry, a fact that shouldn't be lost on any company," said John Healy, OSHA's area director in Englewood. "In the coming weeks, OSHA will be stepping up its enforcement of fall hazards, especially in those areas of the state that experienced significant hail damage this year ¿ areas where we expect to see an influx in roofing work."

For both companies, the alleged willful violations stem from a lack of fall protection for workers performing roof work and failing to use fall protection while workers were being machine lifted to the roof. OSHA issues a willful citation when an employer exhibits plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

The alleged serious violations against both companies relate to fall hazards associated with the lift used to elevate workers to the roof and accessing the roof with ladders that did not extend 3 feet above the landing. ABC Roofing was further cited for accessing the roof with a ladder made longer by using a bungee cord to attach a second ladder to it and for failing to train workers in the use of ladders. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which an employer knew or should have known.

The other-than-serious violation, issued against ABC Roofing, is for failing to train workers in fall protection. OSHA issues other-than-serious citations when a violation is directly related to safety and health but unlikely to cause death or serious physical harm.

United Renovations and ABC Roofing each have 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Englewood, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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