A Wichita, Kan. roofing contractor is facing $191,071 in fines after exposing workers to numerous fall and safety hazards.
OSHA inspectors discovered employees of Jose Barrientos were not wearing proper personal protective equipment nor were they trained to recognize fall and other safety hazards.
“This employer’s continued failure to comply with federal safety requirements needlessly exposed workers to a number of serious hazards, including falls, which are the leading cause of injury in the construction industry,” said Ryan Hodge, OSHA Wichita area office director.
Jose Barrientos has a long history with OSHA. The agency has cited the employer for fall hazards five times in the past decade.
This time around, OSHA found two willful and six serious violations. Roofers were working without appropriate fall protection; they were not training on ladder usage and hazardous materials; and debris from the work area was not cleared
Barrientos has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.