A Washington roofing company is facing nearly $49,000 in fines following the death of an employee who fell through an unguarded skylight while working on a commercial roof.
A roofing employee working for Leslie & Campbell of Union Gap, Washington, died after falling more than 25 feet through a skylight onto the concrete floor of a fruit-packing warehouse in Yakima County.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) cited the roofing contractor on September 8, issuing nearly $49,000 in penalties following an investigation into the fatal accident.
According to state investigators, the skylight was not guarded to prevent falls. The agency also determined that the company had failed to identify the skylights as potential fall hazards and had not adequately trained employees about the dangers associated with them.
Leslie & Campbell is appealing the citation and penalties.
In a statement following the tragedy, Leslie & Campbell expressed its sorrow over the loss of the employee.
“No words can adequately express the sorrow we feel over a young life lost far too soon,” the company stated.
The contractor added that the safety and well-being of its employees, including their ability to return home safely to their families each day, remain among its highest priorities.
Leslie & Campbell declined to comment on the specific findings of the investigation while the matter remains under appeal.
Craig Blackwood, assistant director of L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, emphasized the importance of workplace fall protection.
“A worker died because their employer failed to protect them,” Blackwood said. “While penalties can’t bring this worker back to their family, they help ensure companies follow safety rules and prevent future tragedies.”
Skylights Pose a Serious Fall Hazard for Roofing Workers
Skylights are a significant hazard for roofing contractors, particularly on commercial and industrial buildings.
Although skylights may appear solid, many are not designed to support the weight of a person. Older skylights can become especially hazardous as materials deteriorate from years of exposure to sunlight and weather.
Roofers working on large commercial roofs may also encounter skylights that are difficult to distinguish from the surrounding roof surface, particularly when they are dirty, painted over, or partially obscured.
Under federal OSHA regulations, skylights are generally treated as roof openings that require appropriate fall protection.
Depending on the working conditions, protection may include properly secured covers, guardrail systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
Employers are also responsible for identifying workplace hazards and ensuring workers receive adequate training to recognize and avoid them.
Before beginning work on a commercial roof, contractors should identify skylights and other openings that could present fall hazards.
Protective measures should be established before employees begin working near these areas.
Even when a skylight appears sturdy, workers should never assume that its glazing or frame is capable of supporting their weight.
For roofing contractors, identifying skylight hazards and implementing appropriate fall protection measures are essential steps in ensuring workers return home safely at the end of each day.
