There is an endless list of hazards faced by workers on building sites. Roofs alone pose a set of life-threatening risks, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration prescribes strict safety regulations to prevent roof-related construction workers’ accidents. An Ohio nursing facility was recently ordered to address roof safety violations after the death of an employee who fell from the roof.
Reportedly, this followed an investigation that was launched after the accident last October. An incident report indicates that a 54-year-old telecommunications worker fell to his death. According to a spokesperson for the Cincinnati office of OSHA, the facility failed to provide safe access and work areas for subcontractors and maintenance workers who had to work on the roof of the building.
The report says working and walking on the pitched roof is particularly hazardous when work areas are near the roof’s edge. Fall protection is essential to protect workers who are exposed to trip-and-fall hazards. Reportedly, the facility does not expect to be cited because it is cooperating with OSHA and taking steps to rectify the safety issues.
Victims of construction workers’ accidents in Ohio, or subcontractors who suffer injuries, are typically entitled to financial relief through the workers’ compensation insurance system. Families who lose loved ones in such tragedies may file claims for survivors’ benefits to cover funeral and burial expenses and lost wages. The claims process may seem overwhelming, but the help of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is available to provide the necessary support and guidance.
Source: mcknights.com, “Death leads to edict: Facility must mitigate the risk of falls — on its roof“, Kimberly Marselas, Feb. 8, 2018