The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Northridge Construction Corp. for willful and serious violations of workplace safety standards at the company’s headquarters in East Patchogue, New York.
This citation comes following the fatality of one of the company’s employees, according to an OSHA news release. The employee suffered fatal injuries when a structure collapsed during the installation of roof panels on a shed in December 2018, and the OSHA inspectors determined that the company failed to provide fall protection and protective helmets. In addition, they did not ensure the structural integrity of the roof and misused a ladder.
“Fall-related fatalities are preventable if employers use required fall protection systems, such as guardrails or personal fall arrest systems,” said Anthony Ciuffo, the OSHA Long Island Area director. “OSHA standards are legal requirements that every employer must follow to workers are protected from serious injuries.
Northridge Construction Corp. faces $224,620 in penalties. The business has contested the citations and proposed penalties to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
