OSHA cites Elo Roofing after worker falls through skylight

Following two federal safety inspections, the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) cited Elo Restoration LLC - a Jacksonville, Florida roofing contractor, operating as Elo Roofing - with 10 safety violations.

The Department alleged the company willfully exposed workers to fall hazards by not requiring them to wear fall protection equipment while working at least six feet above a lower level, leading to over $700,000 in proposed penalties.

"At the Department of Labor, we are committed to doing everything in our power to put the American worker and their safety first," said Lori Chavez-DeRemer, U.S. secretary of labor. "These citations are a stark reminder that workplace safety is non-negotiable, and we will carry out our duty to hold employers accountable when they put lives at risk."

Employees were not provided guardrails, safety nets

On March 18, 2025, OSHA initiated an investigation at one of Elo Roofing’s Jacksonville worksites. Two weeks later, OSHA initiated a separate investigation at one of the company's sites in St. Johns, Florida after learning a worker sustained injuries and required hospitalization after falling through a residential roof while removing skylight fixtures.

The agency determined the worksite did not install guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest (PFA) systems, and employees were not provided with alternative fall protection measures.

Elo Restoration LLC was cited with four willful, three repeat, a serious, and two other-than-serious citations, totaling $752,846 in proposed penalties.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

"No one should walk into work worrying that they might not come home at the end of the day," said Keith Sonderling, deputy secretary of labor. "Our workers are the backbone of this country, and we strive every day to ensure they never pay the ultimate price for a paycheck."

2018 investigations found lack of fall protection systems

In 2018, OSHA cited Derek Williams of Elo Restoration Inc. for exposing employees to fall hazards at two separate worksites in St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, Florida. The roofing contractor faced $116,551 in penalties.

The Agency initiated an inspection in June of that year as part of its regional emphasis program (REP) on falls in construction. Inspectors determined that employees were working on residential roofs without fall protection. OSHA cited the Jacksonville, Florida-based contractor for failing to ensure workers were attached to a fall protection system.

OSHA cited Elo Restoration for exposing employees to similar violations after a May 2018 investigation. OSHA cited Travis Slaughter (operating as Florida Roofing Experts Inc.) and Williams for exposing employees to fall hazards at a St. Augustine worksite. Each company faced the maximum allowable penalty of $129,336.

The Agency initiated the inspection as part of its REP and after receiving a complaint that employees were performing residential roofing activities without fall protection. OSHA cited the companies for failing to ensure workers were attached to a fall protection system.

Regulations and resources for skylight protection

Between 2015 and 2024, OSHA published nearly 400 investigations into workers falling from roofs and through underprotected skylights, half of which were fatal. The agency has published almost 800 investigations of the same type since 2002.

OSHA offers resources to help businesses develop an adequate workplace safety and health program. Employers can also contact the agency for information about OSHA's compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

Since 2017, Skylight protection has been covered by 29 CFR §1910.29(e)(1), which specifies:

“The employer must ensure each cover for a hole in a walking-working surface: (1) Is capable of supporting without failure, at least twice the maximum intended load that may be imposed on the cover at any one time; and (2) Is secured to prevent accidental displacement.”

Skylight protection was formerly covered by 29 CFR §1910.23(a)(4), which specified:

“Every skylight floor opening and hole shall be guarded by a standard skylight screen or a fixed standard railing on all exposed sides.”

as well as 29 CFR §1910.23(e)(8), which specified:

“Skylight screens shall be of such construction and mounting that they are capable of withstanding a load of at least 200 pounds applied perpendicularly at any one area on the screen. They shall also be of such construction and mounting that under ordinary loads or impacts, they will not deflect downward sufficiently to break the glass below them. The construction shall be of grillwork with openings not more than 4 inches long or of slatwork with openings not more than 2 inches wide with length unrestricted.”

Changes to the code clarified:

• Change “screen” to “cover.”
• Skylight covers must support “at least twice” the maximum load specified by 29 CFR §1910.21(b), not just “at least” the maximum load.
• Covers must function “without failure, and therefore cannot “deflect downward” and break the skylight glass.