The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined a Medford roofing company more than $100,000 for repeatedly failing to safeguard workers from fall hazards that could seriously injure or kill them.
Oregon OSHA cited JAM Construction, Inc., following an inspection of a jobsite in Central Point where work was being done on the roof of a house.
OSHA officials said a recent inspection showed the employer failed to ensure that employees working on the roof installed and implemented fall protection. As a result, employees were exposed to potential falls of up to 13 feet to the ground.
JAM Construction 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 6 feet or more to a lower level.
It was the third time the local company violated fall protection requirements and OSHA issued a penalty of $103,438 for the third repeat violation. The agency also issued an "other-than-serious" citation to the company for failing to provide documentation showing employees had received fall protection training.
Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, workers have a right to a safe and healthy workplace that employers must maintain. In the construction industry, falls are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death.
Following the inspection, JAM Construction corrected the fall protection violation. The penalty issued against the company was based on the size of the company. Under Oregon OSHA's rules, penalties multiply when employers commit repeat offenses. Penalized employers have 30 calendar days to file an appeal.
