QUICK SUMMARY
Washington construction companies face over $500,000 in fines for repeated safety violations, primarily related to fall protection gear. The state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) urges homeowners to verify contractors’ safety records before hiring. L&I's assistant director emphasized that ignoring safety rules endangers workers' lives.
Each year, more than 1,600 workers in Washington are injured due to falls, the most common cause of death in construction. Recently, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) imposed fines exceeding $500,000 on four construction companies for ongoing violations of fall protection rules. Legacy Roofing Northwest, which operates as America 1st Roofing & Builders Inc., has a history of safety violations and faces fines totaling $207,648 for recent infractions. Other companies, like Sol Construction LLC and Modern S Construction LLC, also received hefty fines for willful violations related to fall protection. L&I emphasizes the importance of homeowners checking contractors' safety records to avoid hiring unregistered and potentially unsafe businesses. Craig Blackwood, assistant director of L&I, stated that repeated citations indicate a deliberate disregard for worker safety. Employers must ensure workers use fall protection systems when working above four feet. L&I provides resources to help companies comply with safety regulations and encourages anonymous reporting of unsafe work practices.