OSHA cites Johnson Controls for allowing workers on roof without fall protection

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Johnson Controls Inc. for allowing employees to work on the roof of a Toledo, Ohio, facility without fall protection. Proposed penalties total $70,000.

Following a June 2010 inspection, OSHA issued one alleged willful citation for failing to ensure that employees utilized mandatory fall protection while working on the roof of the Key Bank building, which is more than 40 feet off of the ground. A willful violation is one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employees' safety and health.

"There is simply no excuse for an employer to disregard the safety and welfare of its workers by not following OSHA fall protection standards," said OSHA area director Jule Hovi in Toledo. "Those who ignore safe practices are inviting tragedy into the workplace."

Johnson Controls employs more than 130,000 employees globally. The company has been inspected by OSHA 32 times throughout the United States and has received numerous citations in the past.

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