Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA has cited Forest Grove contractor J&K Roofing Company $39,000 for repeatedly violating a requirement to provide protective systems to safeguard workers from fall hazards that could seriously injure or kill them.
The citation against the company resulted from an inspection launched in response to a complaint filed with Oregon OSHA.
The inspection of J&K Roofing Company focused on a jobsite in Aloha where reroofing work was being done on a two-story church. Oregon OSHA's inspection included employee and manager interviews, measurements of the fall hazard, and firsthand observation of one employee working at heights with no fall protection system in place. That employee was exposed to a potential fall of at least 12 feet, according to the inspection.
The inspection corroborated the complaint. It found the employer had 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. During the inspection, J&K Roofing Company corrected the violation identified by Oregon OSHA.
It was the fourth time since July 2021 that the company violated the same fall protection requirement. Because of the repeat offenses, the penalty for the violation was multiplied, with Oregon OSHA imposing a $39,000 penalty.
Falls are one of the leading causes of death in the construction industry.
“Working at heights is dangerous. That is why there are straightforward standards employers must follow to ensure the safety of their employees," said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “Getting the job done and protecting workers do not compete with each other. Workers have a right to be safe and healthy while on the job, and employers are required to honor that right."
The penalty issued against J&K Roofing Company included a standard penalty reduction based on the small size of the company. Employers have 30 calendar days after receiving a citation to file an appeal.
In addition to its enforcement activities, Oregon OSHA offers employers free resources to help improve workplace safety and health. These resources include the division's
Fall Protection Suite of online video training courses and its
A-to-Z topic page about fall protection.
The Fall Protection Suite includes courses addressing
fall protection fundamentals,
construction,
roofing, and
ladder safety.
Employers are encouraged to use free resources – available now from Oregon OSHA and involving
no fault, no citations, and no penalties – for help protecting their employees:
Consultation services – Provides free and confidential help with safety and health programs, including how to control and eliminate hazards, and hands-on training
Technical staff – Helps employers understand requirements and how to apply them to their worksites