Roofing contractor cited after 15-year-old worker injured in fall

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a Florida roofing contractor after a 15-year-old worker fell 20 feet from the top of a two-story home and suffered severe head and spinal injuries.

OSHA said Friday it cited Lake Mary, Florida-based JGN Services LLC for three serious violations and proposed penalties of $8,702 for the February 2022 incident. The agency said the contractor failed to install a guardrail, safety net or personal fall arrest system for employees doing roof work, allowed the improper use of ladders, and failed to train workers on recognizing fall hazards.

OSHA assessed a $55,841 civil penalty against JGN under the Child Labor Enhanced Penalty Program, saying the company violated child labor laws that ban employers from allowing minors under the age of 18 to perform certain roofing activities.

JGN was further required to pay $106,600 in back wages and liquidated damages after investigators determined it misclassified some workers as independent contractors and failed to pay proper overtime rates.