U.S. Department of Labor Cites Central New York Roofing Contractor

SYRACUSE, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Proctor Enterprises Inc. – based in Stanley, New York, and doing business as Proctor Roofing and Contracting – for exposing employees to falls at a Stanley, New York, worksite. The roofing contractor faces a total of $116,686 in penalties for two willful violations of OSHA standards.

OSHA cited the company for failing to provide employees with fall protection while they installed roofing materials, and for using ladders that did not extend at least 3 feet above upper landings for required stability. OSHA previously cited Proctor for fall-related violations in 2015 and 2016 at worksites in Geneva and Newark, New York.

“Falls are the leading cause of work-related injuries and fatalities in construction,” said OSHA Syracuse Area Director Jeffrey Prebish. “This company’s failure to provide legally required fall protection places workers at risk for serious injuries.”

OSHA’s Protecting Roofing Workers booklet describes the types of fall protection employers can use, including fall restraint and guardrail systems, and requirements for using extension ladders and stepladders. OSHA offers additional compliance assistance resources on preventing falls from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs on the OSHA Fall Protection webpage.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.