The U.S. Department of Labor has levied citations against roofing contractor Bacilio Rios Almanza for safety violations involving fall hazards in Appleton. During an investigation into an incident in September 2024, the Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found Almanza's company had not adequately protected employees working on a residential roof.
OSHA identified two willful and one serious violation. The charges included failing to provide necessary fall protection equipment, insufficient training for workers on fall safety measures, and neglecting to ensure the use of hard hats. These violations have led OSHA to propose penalties amounting to $262,174.
This is not the first time Almanza's safety practices have come under scrutiny. OSHA has inspected the contractor's work sites 10 times previously, citing similar violations in each instance.
Almanza now has 15 business days upon receipt of the citations and penalties to either adhere to the directives, seek an informal meeting with OSHA's area director, or challenge the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
For further information on OSHA’s guidelines regarding fall protection and worker safety, individuals can visit the agency’s 'stop falls' website.
