Oregon OSHA Fines Roofer $113K for Repeat Fall Violations

Inspection found worker exposed to 12-foot fall without protection at Lake Oswego jobsite

By Tanja Kern, Senior Strategic Content Editor

contractors on a roof installing shingles — Photo: sturti/E+ via Getty Images

Oregon OSHA has fined a Gresham, Ore., roofing contractor $113,852 for repeatedly failing to protect workers from fall hazards.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division cited New Exteriors LLC following an inspection at a multistory residential construction site in Lake Oswego. Investigators found an employee installing composite shingles on a roof without a fall protection system, exposing the worker to a potential 12-foot fall.

State safety rules require employers to provide and implement fall protection when workers are exposed to heights of 6 feet or more.

According to Oregon OSHA, the violation marks the fourth time since May 2023 that New Exteriors has been cited for failing to meet fall protection requirements. The agency rated the severity of the repeat violation as “death,” reflecting the potentially fatal consequences of a fall.

In addition to the repeat violation, the company received an “other-than-serious” citation for failing to document that an employee had received training in fall protection systems.

“Working at heights is dangerous. That is why there are clear and effective safety standards in place to address the very real risk of a worker falling,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “Any employer who directs employees to work at heights must account for fall hazards from the standpoint of prevention.”

Oregon OSHA said the violations were corrected during the inspection. New Exteriors has filed an appeal of the citation.

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Tanja Kern covers economic trends and the intersection of architecture, design, and construction for Roofing Contractor, with an emphasis on the forces reshaping the industry. She develops and amplifies content that connects roofing professionals with the intelligence they need to compete and grow.

With more than 20 years of experience, Tanja has written for national business, consumer and trade publications. She holds a Master of Science in magazine publishing from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.