OSHA cites Mass. roofing company in fatal accident

July 15, 2009

Federal investigators have cited a Massachusetts roofing company for violating safety standards after a truck carrying a bucket lift toppled and crashed into a Boston building, killing one worker and seriously injuring another.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Monday proposed $31,000 in fines against Reliable Roofing & Sheet Metal LLC after citing the firm with five alleged safety violations.

OSHA’s regional director Brenda Gordon said better training and inspection would have identified defects in the equipment and prevented the Feb. 7 accident in Downtown Crossing.

Reliable Roofing has 15 days to decide whether it wants to contest the penalties. The company did not immediately return a message seeking comment.