August 27, 2015
South Florida's Latite Roofing continues to expose workers to dangerous falls
Employer inspected 9 times in the last 5 years; nearly $137K in penalties proposed
Employer name: Latite Roofing and Sheet Metal LLC, Pompano Beach, Florida 33069
Inspection sites: 7678 Bristol Circle, Naples, Florida 34120; Intersection of Southwest 82nd St. and Southwest 72nd St., Miami, Florida 33143; and 1371 S. University Drive, Plantation, Florida 33324.
Citations issued: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the employer on August 25 for three repeated and three serious safety violations.
Inspection findings: The three inspections were initiated as part of the agency's Regional Emphasis Program on Falls in Construction* after OSHA inspectors observed employees performing roofing work without fall protection. The violations involve allowing employees to work from heights of 10, 15 and up to 20 feet without fall protection and improperly using a step ladder.
The company has been cited nine times in the past five years. However, OSHA found that Latite Roofing is again exposing employees to the hazards of fall protection. A lack of adequate fall protection when working from elevations can result in serious or fatal injuries.
Quote: "Residential roofing work can be deadly when safety measures are not enforced. Latite Roofing has an extensive OSHA inspection history, but continues to expose employees to life-threatening safety hazards. Latite must assess its work practices immediately to ensure workers are protected," said Condell Eastmond, OSHA's area director in Ft. Lauderdale.
Proposed penalties: $136,500
The citations can be viewed at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/LatiteRoofingSheetMetal_08-25-2015.pdf*
Latite Roofing is the largest commercial and residential roofing company in south Florida. The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, 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 Ft. Lauderdale Area Office at 954-424-0242.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.