A Medford roofing company has been fined $103,438 for repeatedly failing to safeguard workers from fall hazards that could seriously injure or kill them, officials said Thursday.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division cited JAM Construction Inc. following an inspection of a job site in Central Point where work was being done on the roof of a house, according to a news release.

Oregon OSHA said it was the third time since April 2022 that JAM Construction violated fall protection requirements. A penalty of $103,438 was levied for the third repeat violation. The division also issued an “other-than-serious” citation to the company for failing to provide documentation showing employees had received fall protection training.

“The employer failed to ensure that employees who were working on the roof installed and implemented fall protection, according to the inspection,” the release said. “As a result, employees were exposed to potential falls of up to 13 feet to the ground.

“JAM Construction violated a rule requiring employers to ensure that fall protection systems are provided, installed, and implemented where employees are exposed to a hazard of falling 6 feet or more to a lower level.”

Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, workers have a right to a safe and healthy workplace, and employers must maintain safe and healthy workplaces.

In the construction industry, falls are one of the leading causes of death, Oregon OSHA said.

“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,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “To repeatedly fail to put the safety of workers first only increases the risk of serious injury or even death.”

During the inspection, the company corrected the fall protection violation identified by Oregon OSHA.

The total penalty issued against JAM Construction included a standard penalty reduction based on the size of the company, according to the release. Under Oregon OSHA’s rules, penalties multiply when employers commit repeat offenses.

Employers have 30 calendar days after receiving a citation to file an appeal.

In addition to its enforcement activities, Oregon OSHA offers employers free resources to help improve workplace safety and health. These resources include the division’s Fall Protection Suite of online video training courses and its A-to-Z topic page about fall protection. The Fall Protection Suite includes courses addressing fall protection fundamentals, construction, roofing and ladder safety.

See osha.oregon.gov for more information.