Directions given by an OSHA inspector to workers prevented serious injury and perhaps even the death of one employee.

In November, inspector Tony Nozzi found a roofing contractor’s employees and a building restoration employee working on a church roof in Illinois without any fall protection.

Before leaving, Nozzi made sure all employees put on harnesses and lanyards and secured themselves with rope grabs.

After Nozzi left, an employee of a building restoration company who was power washing the church steeple slipped and fell down the church’s pitched roof.

His fall protection stopped the worker right before the roof edge. He was able to walk back up the roof toward the steeple and safely complete his work.

The inspection was part of a Local Emphasis Program on falls.

To see another example of how action by an OSHA inspector prevented a serious injury or death, click here.

For more information on fall protection from OSHA, click here.

Tags: fall protection, harnesses, lanyards, OSHA inspector