Workers Comp

Roofing companies fined $768K for repeat dangerous fall exposures

Danielle Ling

January 12, 2022 Reprints

Construction Regulation Workers Comp Coverage Workplace Safety More + Less -

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries recently issued a combined $768,000 in fines against three roofing companies for repetitive safety violations exposing workers to dangerous falls.

Allways Roofing of Snohomish County was fined $425,000 for seven safety violations, including two egregious, willful, repeat violations, for failure to use fall protection or use material roofing brackets as tie-off points. L&I also cited the employer for lack of worker eye protection while using nail guns, improper ladder use, and other safety violations observed by inspectors at a Snohomish home.

Allways Roofing was fined $1.2 million six months ago and $375,000 a year ago for the same violations that exposed workers to falls and remains in the Severe Violators Enforcement Program.

Wilson Roofing and Construction LLC was fined $247,000 for six safety violations including two egregious, willful, repeat violations for lack of fall protection and other safety violations while roofing a home in Ferndale.

During an inspection, three roofers were seen wearing harnesses that were not attached to tie off ropes while working on a steeply pitched roof with a fall height of about 22 feet. The company has been inspected twice in three years following falls from heights that hospitalized employees.

Valentine Roofing Inc. was fined $94,000 for four serious safety violations following its ninth inspection in three years, and has repeatedly been cited for fall protection violations.

Allways Roofing and Wilson Roofing have appealed the citations and fines. Valentine Roofing has until Jan. 27 to file an appeal.