Aug. 18 — An Illinois contractor, who OSHA says has willfully disregarded worker safety laws for years, faces $89,100 in new penalties.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued 10 citations to Barringer Brothers Roofing, a company owned by Illinois contractor Robert Barringer, July 29. It announced the citations Aug. 18.
OSHA contends Barringer exposed roofers to fall hazards at a home under construction in Belleville, Ill., after inspectors witnessed five employees working on a 13-foot-high roof without adequate fall protection. It's the 19th time since 2006 the agency has cited Barringer for allegedly failing to reduce the risk of debilitating or fatal falls.
Barringer is in default of US$267,900 in previous OSHA penalties, according to the agency. OSHA placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program in April 2016.
During a May 2016 inspection, OSHA said it found the company's employees used nail guns without eye protection. It also found no fire extinguishers and no accident prevention program, among other failures.
"Robert Barringer has shown a callous disregard for the safety of his employees and utter indifference to the law,": Aaron Priddy, the area director of OSHA's regional office in Fairview Heights, Ill., said in a statement Aug. 18. "OSHA will use every option available to us to hold him accountable for his shameless behavior."
Barringer has not responded to April citations carrying proposed penalties of $103,840, OSHA said.
A phone number listed for the company was disconnected Aug. 18.
Source: http://www.bna.com/roofing-company-cited-n73014446614/
