Salem, OR — The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) has fined a Medford roofing company $103,438 for repeatedly failing to safeguard workers from fall hazards that could seriously injure or kill them.
The division cited JAM Construction Inc. following an inspection of a jobsite in Central Point where work was being done on the roof of a house.
The employer failed to ensure that employees who were working on the roof installed and implemented fall protection, according to the inspection. As a result, employees were exposed to potential falls of up to 13 feet to the ground. JAM Construction 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.
This was the third time since April 2022 that JAM Construction violated fall protection requirements. Oregon OSHA issued a penalty of $103,438 for the third repeat violation. The division also issued an “other-than-serious" citation to the company for failing to provide documentation showing employees had received fall protection training.
Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, workers have a right to a safe and healthy workplace, and employers must maintain safe and healthy workplaces.
In the construction industry, falls are one of the leading causes of death.
“Any employer who directs workers to do job tasks at heights must make sure those workers are protected against fall hazards. It is a requirement, not an option," said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “To repeatedly fail to put the safety of workers first only increases the risk of serious injury or even death."
During the inspection, the company corrected the fall protection violation identified by Oregon OSHA.
The total penalty issued against JAM Construction included a standard penalty reduction based on the size of the company. Under Oregon OSHA's rules, penalties multiply when employers commit repeat offenses.
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 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