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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-219-8151
Roy G. Stoops, owner of C&S Erectors, Inc. of Noblesville, Ind., was
sentenced to four months in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to willfully
violating occupational safety and health standards which led to the death of an
employee.
The case stems from a May 1, 1996, incident in which Brian Smith, 32, of
Greenwood, Ind., an employee of C&S Erectors, fell to his death while
laying steel decking on a roof approximately 35 feet above the ground at a site
in Jonestown, Pa. After an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), the case was referred to the Department of Justice for
criminal prosecution.
"The sentence handed down in this case carries a strong and clear
message that unsafe and unhealthy working conditions will not be tolerated in
this country," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "An employee of
C&S Erectors died because his employer willfully violated the law. No one
should have to sacrifice his life to earn his livelihood."
Judge J. Andrew Smyser of the U.S. District Court in Harrisburg, Pa.,
ordered Stoops to pay $6,000 in restitution to Smith's estate to cover funeral
expenses. Stoops will be on a one-year supervised release program. C&S
Erectors, Inc. was also sentenced to one year of probation and was held jointly
liable for the restitution.
"The fact that the court sentenced Mr. Snoops to prison demonstrates how
egregious his actions were," said Charles N. Jeffress, assistant secretary of
labor for occupational safety and health. "Let this be a warning to employers
who flaunt the law that when warranted OSHA will seek criminal penalties for
willful violations."
According to OSHA records, C&S Erectors engaged in several unsafe
practices at the Jonestown worksite, and prior to Smith's accident the
project's general contractor warned Stoops and the company several times about
hazards, including the failure to provide fall protection. The company had a
substantial history of OSHA violations.
OSHA's investigation resulted in citations being issued against the
company in October 1996 for willful, egregious violations of safety and health
standards, with proposed penalties totaling $396,200. The citations were
appealed to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, which has
stayed this case pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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