Oregon Contractor Fined for Repeatedly Exposing Workers to Fall Hazards

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division fined a Grants Pass roofing company $86,149 for workplace safety violations, including repeatedly failing to safeguard workers from fall hazards that could seriously injure or kill them.

The division cited GB Roofing LLC following an inspection of a job site where work was being done to replace the roof on a retirement home.

Employees were reportedly working on the roof without fall protection and were exposed to a potential fall of about 20 feet to the ground. GB Roofing violated a rule requiring employers to ensure that fall protection systems are provided, installed and implemented where employees are exposed to a hazard of falling six feet or more to a lower level.

This was reportedly the third reported time since May 2022 that GB Roofing violated fall protection requirements. Oregon OSHA issued a penalty of $84,996 for the third-repeat violation.

GB Roofing was also cited for failing to provide eye protection to employees who were exposed to flying particles from the use of pneumatic staplers. It was a serious violation carrying a penalty of $1,153.

During the inspection, the company corrected the violations. The total penalty issued against GB Roofing included a standard penalty reduction based on the small size of the company. Under Oregon OSHA’s rules, penalties multiply when employers commit repeat offenses. Employers have 30 calendar days after receiving a citation to file an appeal.

Topics Contractors Oregon