In a tragic incident that took place on March 27, 2023, an 18-year-old employee of a Missouri contractor met with a fatal accident while working on a commercial building’s roof. The young worker, employed by a roofing contractor was applying sealant to the roof when he fell more than 22 feet, resulting in severe injuries that eventually proved fatal after five days in a coma.
Fatal Injuries Follow Company’s Lack of Proper Fall Protection
However, what makes this incident even more distressing is the fact that the employer allowed a foreman and another worker to continue working without fall protection even after the tragic fall. Furthermore, inspectors from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) discovered that the employer had fall protection available but left the decision to the employees to choose whether to use it.
Karena Lorek, OSHA Area Director in Missouri, expressed, “The roofing contractor could have prevented this young worker’s death by requiring their employees to use fall protection equipment. Disturbingly, the employer allowed other workers to go back to work on the same roof without fall protection.”
Apart from the lack of fall protection enforcement, OSHA investigators found that the contractor failed to train employees on how to use fall protection. Additionally, the employer did not provide adequate training on proper forklift operations, failed to supply face and eye protection to workers, and did not have a written hazard communication program for sealants and other chemicals used on the job.
The Result
OSHA cited the roofing contractor for one willful violation, three serious violations, and one other-than-serious violation, proposing penalties totaling $205,369. This is not the first time the company has faced such citations; they were cited for similar fall protection violations back in 2015.
The roofing contractor, is a third-generation, family-owned, and operated business with over 20 years of experience in the roofing industry. The roofing contractor primarily offers commercial roofing restorations and repairs to customers in north and central Missouri.
Business owners need to recognize the significance of workplace safety and comply with safety regulations to prevent such tragic incidents. Proper training, enforcing safety protocols, and providing necessary safety equipment are imperative to ensure a safe working environment.
Conclusion
The roofing contractor case is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting workplace safety. Employers must prioritize the safety and well-being of their employees, especially in potentially hazardous industries like construction and roofing. Violating safety regulations not only risks lives but also leads to significant financial penalties and damage to a company’s reputation.
To avoid such tragic incidents and legal consequences, businesses should invest in thorough safety training, enforce safety protocols, and regularly update their employees on safety procedures. Ultimately, a safe work environment is not just a legal requirement but a moral obligation that ensures every worker returns home safely at the end of the day.