OSHA Fines Medford Roofing Company $103,438 for Repeat Violations

Medford, Oregon- The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) has imposed a $103,438 fine on JAM Construction Inc., a Medford-based roofing company, for repeated violations related to fall protection. The penalty follows an inspection at a jobsite in Central Point where workers were exposed to potential falls of up to 13 feet without adequate safety measures.

The inspection revealed that employees working on the roof of a house did not have the necessary fall protection systems installed or implemented, violating state regulations. According to Oregon OSHA’s standards, employers are required to ensure that fall protection is in place when employees are exposed to a fall hazard of six feet or more.

This citation marks the third time since April 2022 that JAM Construction has been cited for similar violations. The significant penalty reflects the repeated nature of these violations. Additionally, the company received an “other-than-serious” citation for failing to provide documentation proving that employees had received fall protection training.

Oregon OSHA Administrator Renée Stapleton emphasized the importance of fall protection in the construction industry, where falls are a leading cause of worker fatalities. “Any employer who directs workers to do job tasks at heights must make sure those workers are protected against fall hazards. It is a requirement, not an option,” Stapleton stated. She added that repeated failures to prioritize worker safety significantly increase the risk of serious injury or death.

During the inspection, JAM Construction corrected the identified fall protection violation. The total penalty includes a standard reduction based on the company’s size. However, under Oregon OSHA’s rules, penalties increase for repeat offenses.

JAM Construction has 30 calendar days from the date of citation issuance to file an appeal.

The enforcement of these regulations is part of the Oregon Safe Employment Act, which guarantees workers the right to a safe and healthy workplace and obligates employers to maintain such conditions.