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Oregon construction companies were fined $603,010 in 2016 for violating general fall-protection requirements, making the safety infraction once again by far the costliest and most-cited in the industry.

Oregon OSHA, the state occupational safety and health administrative office, this week released to the Daily Journal of Commerce information related to the biggest safety violations in the construction industry in 2016. Of the 11 most costly inspections opened, fines totaling $122,960 were assessed for fall protection-related violations out of $274,340.

(But in Oregon in 2016, the highest fine by a long shot – $142,800 – was the result of a fatal trench collapse in May that killed TC Excavating employee Michael Casey Holland. Two willful violations resulting from that investigation carried $70,000 penalties, and two others cost $1,400 each. TC was further cited for violating an Oregon Administrative Rule by not documenting safety meetings for the past three years.)

Oregon OSHA issued 289 citations for violating general fall-protection requirements, far more than the next-most common violation, which also was fall protection-related (169 for ladder-use violations). In fact, four of the 10 most common construction violations last year in Oregon related to fall protection.

And expect further scrutiny in 2017. Oregon OSHA will follow the national office in toughening two fall-protection laws:

• On Jan. 1, 6 feet will become the new construction industry standard for the height at which employers must provide protection for workers, down from 10 feet.
• On Oct. 1, slide guards will no longer be allowed as a method to prevent workers from falling off a sloped roof.

From 2013-15, 774 construction workers were injured in falls in Oregon. And nationally, construction leads all industries in fatal and nonfatal traumatic brain injuries. From 2003-10, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recorded 2,210 construction worker deaths as a result of traumatic brain injuries.

Oregon OSHA’s largest fines handed to construction companies for inspections opened in 2016:

1. TC Excavating LLC of Portland was fined $142,800 following a fatality-catastrophe investigation in May.
2. Go Pro Construction of Tigard was fined $28,000 following a planned partial investigation in January.
3. Villalobos Co. of Eugene was fined $16,800 following a planned partial inspection in April.
4. AM 1 Roofing of Bend was fined $15,300 following a planned partial inspection in October.
5. AA Rite-Way Roofing of Gresham was fined $14,000 following a planned partial inspection in March.
6. I Cam Construction of Damascus was fined $14,000 following a planned partial inspection in May.
7. Unique Construction of Portland was fined $9,640 following a planned partial inspection in April.
8. Jose Garcia Construction of Portland was fined $8,600 following a planned partial inspection in July.
9. Bridge City Contractors of Canby was fined $8,400 following a planned partial inspection in February.
10. Northwest Earthmovers of Sherwood was $8,400 following a referral and a partial inspection in March.
11. Pete LLC of Amity was fined $8,400 following a planned comprehensive inspection in August. – Source: Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services