Fatal Fall Prompts Fines

OSHA began its investigation Jan. 7 after a worker fell 25 feet to his death while working on a partially decked rooftop at a worksite. Cotton Construction, which employs about 12 workers, was cited for three alleged willful and four alleged serious violations.

The alleged willful violations include:

• Failing to ensure horizontal lifelines were designed, installed and used under the supervision of a qualified person;
• Inadequate personal fall arrest systems; and
• Failing to provide training for erecting, maintaining, disassembling and inspecting the fall protection systems.

Among the alleged serious violations were failing to:

• Assure anchorages used for attachments of personal fall arrest systems were capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds;
• Inspect personal fall arrest systems prior to use for wear, damage and other deterioration or defective components;
• Assure that training required by the OSHA steel erection standard was conducted by a competent person; and
• Train employees on the proper use of ladders.