Inspection Detail

Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.

Inspection: 1741402.015 - Tg Roofing And Roof Removal

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

At 10:10 a.m. on April 13, 2024, an employee working as a roofer for a roofing contractor was placing underlayment on the roof of a 2-story residence. The employee was working as part of a roofing crew with Coworker #1 and Coworker #2. Coworker #3, the supervisor, was onsite but did not see the incident. The employee was working on an 8/12 slopped roof attaching the underlayment in sections. Coworker #1, the employee's helper, was cutting material on the ground level after which time he would climb up to the roof and place the material on a ladder-jack scaffold for the employee to take as needed. According to Coworker #1, the employee was cutting pieces of underlayment when he heard a loud noise. Coworker #1 left his location and observed the employee on the ground. Coworker #3, who did not witness the fall, ran to the location and called for emergency services. According to Coworker #1, the employee was observed multiple times that morning with his harness connected to the rope grab line. The employer had a safety meeting about using the fall protection two days prior and had placed multiple fall protection anchors and rope grab lines on the roof. The employee was wearing his fall protection harness at the time of the incident but was not connected. According to both Coworker #1 and Coworker #3, the ladders, ladder-jack scaffolds, and fall protection systems were new and had been inspected that morning. The employee sustained a cerebral hematoma and a fractured spine. He was transported to Mission Hospital, where he was removed from life support. On April 20, 2024, the employee died from blunt trauma associated with a 19-foot fall.

Keywords: Anchor, Blunt force, Blunt force trauma, Concussion, Construction, Fall, Fall From Elevation, Fall Protection, Fracture, Harness, Head, Injury Illness Prevention Program, Installing, Ladder, Ladder Jack Scaffold, Leg, Lifeline, Misjudgment, Misjudgment of Hazardous Situation, Roof, Roofer, Subdural Hematoma, Work Surface