The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Casey Bortles, a roofing contractor based in Holland, Ohio, to comply with the final orders resulting from uncontested OSHA citations, according to the agency. The court ordered Bortles to provide proof he has abated cited safety hazards within 10 days and to pay $341,972 in unpaid OSHA penalties.
“Employers must comply with the law,” said OSHA Chicago regional administrator Ken Nishiyama Atha. “OSHA requirements protect workers from serious hazards. They are not just paperwork exercises.”
OSHA has cited Bortles seven times since 2014. Citations have included exposing workers to falls, failing to train workers on fall hazards, failing to provide eye protection, and failing to implement an accident prevention program. According to OSHA, Bortles has never contested citations, paid penalties, or provide proof of abatement for any of the previous seven agency citations.