U.S. Department of Labor | ||||||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
OSHA News Release
2006 - 10/10/2006 - U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Cites Georgia Roofing Company for Lack of Fall Protection at Mobile, Ala., Regional Airport Job Site |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
Region 4 News Release: 06-1701-ATL (237) Date: October 3, 2006 Contact: Ken Atha Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: (251) 441-6131 (404) 562-2076 U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Cites Georgia Roofing Company for Lack of Fall Protection at Mobile, Ala., Regional Airport Job Site
MOBILE, Ala. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Peach State Roofing, Lawrenceville, Ga., with proposed penalties totaling $56,000 for exposing workers to fall hazards at the Mobile Regional Airport. "Falls are a leading cause of fatalities in the Southeast," said Ken Nishiyama-Atha, OSHA's Mobile, Ala., area director. "We were able to avert tragedy in this case, but employers need to be aware of safety requirements and the need to protect workers from fall hazards." During the OSHA inspection, which began April 27, investigators observed workers removing old roofing material and installing new roofing material on a 30-foot-high, flat-roofed building. The employees were exposed to falls from unguarded roof edges and openings in the roof surface. OSHA issued six repeat citations with proposed penalties totaling $44,000. Alleged violations included failing to have a designated competent person conduct frequent and regular safety inspections at the site; allowing employees to perform various work assignments without fall protection, personal fall-arrest systems or guardrails; lack of safety training for employees; and an improperly installed edge-of-work-surface warning system. The company also received five serious citations with proposed penalties totaling $12,000 for failing to properly monitor and correct employees when they worked in an unsafe manner; for exposing employees to suspended loads and impalement hazards; and for inadequate warning system stanchions. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazards. The company has 15 days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Staff from OSHA's Mobile area office, 1141 Montlimar Drive, Suite 1006, conducted the inspection. The phone number is (251) 441-6131. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ###
U.S. Labor Department (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
Back to Top | www.osha.gov | www.dol.gov |
Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers |
||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 |