$350K Lesson: Why Fall Protection Still Gets Contractors in Trouble
In July 2026, OSHA handed a Florida roofing contractor nearly $350,000 in proposed penalties — $349,754 to be exact.
Orchids Builders LLC was cited for two willful and four repeat fall-protection violations after workers were found on sloped roofs without proper protection (fall hazards of 9–10 feet). The company also failed to keep written training records, skipped eye protection for nail-gun use, and used ladders that didn’t extend far enough above the roof.
This wasn’t a one-time slip. OSHA had inspected the company seven times since 2023, and fall protection issues showed up every single time.
Fall protection has been OSHA’s #1 most-cited standard in construction for 15 years running. Yet too many crews still treat it like optional equipment instead of non-negotiable.
The takeaway is simple:
- Harness up every time you’re above 6 feet.
- Document training.
- Check ladders.
- Don’t cut corners — even on “quick” jobs.
One willful citation can cost more than most companies make on a month of work. Protect your crews and your business. The $350K lesson is expensive for a reason.