Cal/OSHA inspectors determined that each of the three employers was responsible for protecting workers from hazards associated with the roofing operation. Despite their respective responsibilities at the worksite, the employers permitted the crew to work on the roof without required fall protection, proper ladder-safety training or an on-site worker certified in first aid. Inspectors also found that two of the employers failed to provide effective heat illness prevention training.

Cal/OSHA issued the following citations and proposed penalties:

Atlas Building and Roofing, Inc. was cited $120,300 in proposed penalties for one willful-serious accident-related, three serious and two general violations. The company has a history of noncompliance, including citations for willful-serious and serious roofing violations in 2025 and two serious roofing violations in 2023.

Atlas Roofing Company, Inc. was cited $113,750 in proposed penalties for one willful-serious accident-related, three serious and two general violations.

Roof-Top Construction, Inc. was cited $48,370 in proposed penalties for one serious accident-related, three serious and two general violations.

“Roofing is one of the most hazardous jobs in construction and fall protection systems are critical for keeping workers safe," said Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee. "This fatality was entirely preventable.”

Under Cal/OSHA regulations, employers must provide fall protection, such as harnesses or guardrails, during roofing, re-roofing and roof-removal operations when workers are exposed to falls of six feet or more on roofs with slopes up to and including 7:12. On roofs with slopes greater than 7:12, fall protection is required regardless of the potential fall height. Employers must also train workers about fall hazards associated with roofing operations and the measures required to protect them.

July of this year marked one year since Cal/OSHA's updated residential fall protection standards took effect. The standards require fall protection for employees working at heights of six feet or more while performing residential roofing work. Before the standards were updated, fall protection generally was not required until workers were exposed to falls of 15 feet or more, depending on the activity.

Employers may appeal Cal/OSHA citations and proposed penalties by filing an appeal with the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board within 15 working days of receiving the citations. Atlas Building and Roofing, Inc. and Atlas Roofing Company, Inc. have appealed their citations.

A separate investigation by Cal/OSHA’s Bureau of Investigations remains open.