Contractor cited for exposing roofers to dangers

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited an Appleton, Wisconsin, roofing contractor again after OSHA inspectors observed employees exposed to falls and other safety hazards at two job sites, regulators announced Tuesday.

OSHA proposed $129,320 in penalties after citing Hector Hernandez, who operates Town City Construction, for one repeated and two willful violations for failing to provide fall protection, train workers on fall hazards, properly install an extension ladder for safe egress and provide required ladder jack scaffold components, according to a press statement.

“Employers are required to provide fall protection to employees working in construction at heights above 6 feet,” Robert Bonack, OSHA Appleton area office director, said in the press statement. “This employer’s repeated failure to comply with federal safety requirements exposes employees to fatal injuries from fall hazards.”

Mr. Hernandez has 15 business days from receipt of his citation to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, according to OSHA’s rules.