Enfield Roofer Fined Nearly $300K; Failed To Equip Workers With Fall Protection In New Britain

Federal authorities have fined an Enfield roofing contractor nearly $300,000 for willful safety violations at two New Britain work sites.

The Gleason Roofing Co,, which has a history of serious violations, "deliberately and repeatedly" failed to use the mandated fall-protection gear for workers at the two job sites, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a statement Wednesday.

The gear is as simple as an anchor, lanyard, and harness, yet the Gleason workers "were using nothing" as they pulled shingles from roofs, said Warren Simpson, director of OSHA's Hartford office.

The company faces four "willful" and two serious violations, for which OSHA has proposed $294,000 in fines. The company can contest the fines or try to negotiate a settlement. A representative of Gleason Roofing did not immediately return a voicemail message seeking a response Wednesday afternoon.

"Falls are the most dangerous hazard in construction work, responsible for the deaths of three Connecticut workers in 2012," said Simpson.

He said falls are also "among the most preventable hazards, but only if employers supply and ensure the use of fall protection. Failing or refusing to do so is gambling with workers' lives."

An OSHA inspector in March found Gleason employees exposed to 16-foot falls while ripping shingles from a roof at 551 Corbin Ave. The following month, another inspector saw Gleason workers pulling shingles from the roof of a house at 39 East St., again with no fall protection.

In addition, ladders were not extended at least three feet above landings "to ensure proper stability,'' the OSHA news release stated.

And workers at the East Street site faced possible electrocution "from working without protection close to a working power line," the statement said.

Gleason has 15 business days to request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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Enfield Roofer Fined Nearly $300K; Failed To Equip Workers With Fall Protection In New Britain