Monday, June 8, 2015

OSHA cites Tip Top Roofing for 2nd time this year after workers observed roofing townhomes without the use of fall protection

U.S. Department of Labor | June 8, 2015

Employer name: Tip Top Roofing & Construction/Tip Top Exteriors Inc.
                              2030 Coltonville Road, Sycamore, Illinois


Investigation site: 1990 Town Drive
Naperville, Illinois



Date investigation initiated and what prompted inspection: On Dec. 10, 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Aurora Area Office initiated an inspection of roofing contractor Tip Top Roofing & Construction Inc. after receiving a complaint alleging workers were exposed to fall hazards at a residential jobsite in Naperville.

The company performs roofing operations throughout the Chicagoland and Northwestern Illinois area and has a substantial history of OSHA violations related to fall protection and ladder use. The company was most recently cited by OSHA in April of 2015. The company has contested those citations.

Investigation findings: OSHA issued two willful and three serious violations for exposing workers to falls and other hazards while re-roofing an existing residence. 

Two willful violations cite the company for:
  • Exposing workers to fall hazards of about 18 feet because the company failed to require the use of  fall protection  
  • Failing to extend a ladder at least three feet above the landing to provide safe roof access. The company was cited for both of these hazards in April 2015.
Three serious violations involve failing to protect roof workers from falling through unguarded skylights, using fall protection anchors that were not capable of supporting 5,000 pounds and failing to train workers on fall hazards and prevention. 

Quote: “Tip Top Roofing and Construction continues to endanger the safety of its workers by refusing to ensure that fall protection is used on the job sites. A worker can be severely injured or killed in a fall in mere seconds.  Failing to protect them from harm is unacceptable,” said Jacob Scott, OSHA’s Area Director in Aurora. “Roofing contractors have a responsibility to train and protect their workers on job sites.”
To view citations see: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/TipTopRoofing_1012879.pdf*


Proposed Penalties: $145,900

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Aurora Area Office at 630-896-8700.