The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Winter Haven contractor for the second time in five years for exposing workers to potentially deadly falls. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that Carpenter Contractors of America Inc. allowed employees to work without adequate fall protection at an Ave Maria residential job site in January 2024.
OSHA's inspection revealed that employees were exposed to a 32-foot fall hazard while securing trusses and roof fascia, as they were not required to use fall protection equipment. The agency has proposed penalties amounting to $161,323.
"Falls from elevation kill more construction workers than any other industry hazards and yet, far too often, we find employers exposing their employees to debilitating injuries or worse," explained OSHA Area Director Condell Eastmond in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "A commitment to safety must be much more than a phrase on a company’s website; it must involve changing the workplace safety culture. Safety harnesses and other types of fall protection can be the difference between a worker ending the shift safely or being rushed to a hospital."
Carpenter Contractors of America Inc. operates locations in Belvidere, Illinois; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and three locations in Florida: Fort Myers, Pompano Beach, and Winter Haven.
Employers are encouraged by OSHA to seek free consultations or information to assist in developing safety plans that prevent falls and other dangerous incidents.
"Workers have a right to a safe workplace, and employers must take all necessary steps to protect them, including identifying and eliminating hazards commonly associated with their industry. If they fail to do so, they can expect hefty fines like the one assessed in this investigation," added Eastmond.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions by setting standards and providing training, education, and assistance.
For further information on developing workplace safety programs or compliance assistance resources from OSHA, visit OSHA’s website.
