OSHA issued citations for 12 violations — six egregious-willful, five repeat and one serious — for failing to ensure the use of fall protection, not training employees on fall hazards, allowing unsafe use of portable ladders, and not making sure workers used safety glasses. This marks the 12th time that OSHA has cited Charm Builders since 2009 for violations related to fall hazards. OSHA has placed the contractor in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

The agency has proposed $1,090,231 in penalties.

“It is unconscionable when construction contractors put workers at risk and undercut law-abiding companies by failing to invest in basic, life-saving protections,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “We will use all of our available legal powers to hold accountable employers like Charm Builders who continually put people in serious jeopardy.”

In fiscal year 2021, the agency issued citations for fall protection failures in the construction industry more than any other workplace safety standard. OSHA reports that 351 of the 1,008 construction workers who died on the job in 2020 were victims of falls from elevation.

Based in Millersburg, Charm Builders Ltd. is a roofing and siding contractor that works throughout Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

View the citations here.