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After worker’s death, company pleads guilty to criminal charges

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Make no mistake: Federal prosecutors won’t hesitate to come down hard on employers that play Russian roulette with the lives of their workers.

For proof, consider the recent plea agreement between Zona Roofing, Old Bridge, NJ, and the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. The company has agreed to plead guilty to a willful violation of Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations following the August 2019 death of a crew member at a job site in Haledon, NJ.

The employee of Zona Roofing wasn’t wearing fall protection when he tumbled 22 feet from an elevated location and landed on his head. His injuries were fatal.

Because the employer had previously been cited for failing to provide fall protection gear, officials lodged criminal charges against Zona Roofing.

Under the recently signed plea deal, the company will pay $75,000 to the victim’s family and serve five years of probation.

Based on U.S.A. v. Zona Roofing, LLC.

(From the Jan. 16, 2024, issue of Safety Alert for Supervisors. To start your no-obligation trial subscription to the publication right now, please click here.)