OSHA: Denver residential roofing companies not protecting workers
One of the best things about summer in Denver is that residents can see the roofs of their houses again. The snow is gone and the sun is shining. One of the worst things about summer in Colorado is that residents can see the roofs of their houses again and spot problems that need to be addressed ASAP by a roofing company.
However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration warns consumers that roofing companies are “being cited in record numbers for failing to keep workers safe by providing necessary fall prevention equipment and training.” As we have noted in our blog before, falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries.
The OSHA area director said that in the past half-year, the federal agency has received 63 complaints about unsafe roofing work practices.
The director noted that fall prevention equipment is cheap compared to the human costs involved in falls: serious injuries that can sometimes leave workers with long recuperation periods or with a lifelong disability. For those men and women injured on the job, whether the accident is their fault or not, workers’ compensation will replace a portion of their income as well as help them get the medical care they need.
Unfortunately, sometimes employers will try to save costs not only on safety gear, but also by fighting workers’ comp claims. In those cases, it’s necessary for the injured worker to fight for the financial and medical assistance they deserve and need. Many will rely on experienced workers’ compensation attorneys for help with the appeals process.
Source: OSHA, “Denver-area residential roofing contractors are failing to provide necessary fall safety protection to workers,” June 23, 2014
