The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Florida Roofing Experts Inc., a Jacksonville area roofing contractor owned by Travis Slaughter for failing to protect workers from falls at two sites in Fleming Island, FL and one in Middleburg, FL. They face significant penalties and have been placed in the agency’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

They were inspected on July 11 and 12, 2019 after receiving complaints of employees performing residential re-roofing activities without fall protection. The employer had an extensive history of violations and the agency issued eight willful citations for failing to protect employees from fall hazards. They face penalties of $1,007,717.

“This employer has an extensive OSHA history with willful, serious, and repeat violations that has demonstrated an egregious disregard for the safety of their workers,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer, in Atlanta, GA. “The employer continues to allow employees to work without fall protection, and has made no reasonable effort to eliminate the risk.”

“OSHA has extensive resources to help employers and workers understand how to comply with fall protection standards,” stated Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “Fall protection and training requirements that address falls continue to be among the top 10 cited OSHA standards. Fatalities and injuries from falls are preventable.”

Florida Roofing Experts was also placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program due to high-gravity, willful, egregious violations related to fall hazards. Florida Roofing Experts and its predecessor, Great White Construction, have been inspected by OSHA 19 times within the last seven years and have received 42 citations related to improper fall protection, ladder use and eye protection.

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