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OSHA Cites Alabama Company Following Fatal Accident Lack of Fall Protection Brings $63,300 in Proposed Penalties

MOBILE, Ala. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Mosley Building Systems Inc. for exposing workers to fall hazards at a Robertsdale job site. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $63,300 following its investigation of a fatal accident in October.

"This tragic accident could have been prevented if workers had been properly trained and provided fall protection equipment," said Ken Atha, area director for OSHA's Mobile office.

OSHA's investigation found that, on Oct. 16, Mosley employees were repairing the roof of a building damaged by a recent hurricane when one worker stepped onto an area covered only by insulation and fell 20 feet to a concrete floor.

OSHA issued one willful citation, with a proposed penalty of $49,000 for failing to provide fall protection for employees working on the roof.

The company also received four serious citations, with proposed penalties of $9,400, for failing to provide employees with fall protection training; failing to properly secure a forklift platform used to lift workers to the roof; failing to provide a guardrail on the metal platform used to transport workers to and from the roof; and using a platform that exceeded the manufacturer's safe size limit. The company also received a citation, with a proposed penalty of $4,900, for failing to report the fatality to OSHA within eight hours.

The Eight Mile, Ala.-based company has 15 working days to contest the OSHA citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by inspectors from OSHA's Mobile area office, 1141 Montlimar Drive; phone: (251) 441-6131.

The agency has a technical assistance program, separate and distinct from its enforcement program, to help employers recognize and reduce fall hazards.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

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