It is hard to see how business owners can have a complete disregard for the safety of those who ensure they make money. A roofing company in Illinois was put on the Severe Violator Enforcement Program of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but the agency reported that a recent inspection determined that the company had made no effort to address employee safety, and employees remain at risk of being involved in workplace accidents. As many times before, OSHA issued citations for willful violations after the most recent inspection.
Following multiple inspections, citations and penalties since 2006, this business owner has ignored every order to establish a safety program to prevent accidents. Reportedly, with workers exposed to fall hazards on a daily basis, this employer still refuses to provide fall protection. Workers at heights exceeding six feet must wear fall protection.
OSHA found this company willfully negligent, saying the owner continues to expose workers to fall injuries that can cause serious injuries or death. The Severe Violator Enforcement Program allows the safety agency to conduct random inspections and aims to create safety awareness in employers. However, it apparently had no impact on this business owner.
Employees of this Illinois roofing company put their lives on the line every day — which is unacceptable. However, they may find some comfort in knowing that the workers’ compensation insurance program will cover their medical expenses. Although victims of workplace accidents may pursue their own benefits claims, workers’ compensation attorneys are available to use their experience and skills to take care of the demanding administrative and legal proceedings of filing benefits claims.
Source: ehstoday.com, “OSHA: Robert Barringer Continues to Willfully Violate Fall Protection Standards“, Stefanie Valentic, Jan. 5, 2017
