APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An Appleton roofing contractor may face a hefty fine after being cited by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration for exposing his workers to potentially deadly fall hazards.
In May, an OSHA inspector found three Lopez Roofing workers on a Sheboygan roof, working at heights of up to 18 feet without anchoring their fall protection. Without the anchor, the fall protection becomes useless.
OSHA is proposing fining Lopez Roofing $94,263 for exposure to the unsafe conditions and for not properly training employees on how to effectively use fall protection equipment.
The agency sent a letter to the company on July 25, giving owner Lucio Lopez 15 working days to respond. If he doesn’t, OSHA says he loses the ability to adjust the penalty amount.
“Assigning workers to perform dangerous tasks without training them on how to protect themselves is inexcusable,” said OSHA Area Director Robert Bonack. “OSHA will hold employers accountable when they fail to meet their legal requirements to provide safe working conditions.”
OSHA cited Lopez Roofing for similar violations between 2014 and 2017. This is the fifth time the agency has found the company breaking regulations.
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