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<TITLE> Ontario Exteriors, Inc., Docket No. 17-1299</TITLE>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; "><span style="color:#00B050; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;">Some personal identifiers have been redacted for privacy purposes.</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; ">United States of America</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">C</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">OMMISSION</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; ">1120 20<span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; ">th</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Street, N.W., Ninth Floor</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; ">Washington, DC 20036-3457</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; "> </p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:justify; ">SECRETARY OF LABOR,</p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; ">Complainant,</p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:justify; "> </p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; ">v.<span>
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						<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_Heading2 style_Heading2 " style="text-align:left; outline-width:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:13pt; font-size:12pt; ">
							</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:13pt; font-size:12pt; ">OSHRC<span>
								</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:13pt; font-size:12pt; ">D</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:13pt; font-size:12pt; ">ocket No</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:13pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:13pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:13pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
								</span>17-1299</span></p>
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							<p> </p>
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							<p> </p>
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							<p>ONTARIO EXTERIORS, INC.,</p>
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						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; margin-left:28.8px; "> Simplified Proceedings</p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; "> Respondent.</p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:justify; "> </p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:1.5; "> </p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; ">APPEARANCES:                                 </p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Rosemary Almonte, Law Clerk</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Andrew Karonis, Esquire</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">U.S. Department of Labor,<span>
					</span>New York City, New York</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-indent:1.27cm; "> For the Secretary</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; "><span style="text-decoration:line-through ;font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Christopher Davis, pro se</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Fairport, New York</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span> For the Respondent</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; "> </p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; ">BEFORE:<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Dennis L. Phillips</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; ">              <span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Administrative Law Judge</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; "> </p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">DECISION AND ORDER</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; ">This proceeding is before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (the Commission or OSHRC) pursuant to § 10(c) of the<span>
					</span>Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. § 659(c) (the Act). Ontario Exteriors, Inc. (Respondent or<span>
					</span>Ontario) was<span>
					</span>replacing the shingle roof<span>
					</span>of<span>
					</span>a two-story residence<span>
					</span>at 6712 Song Hill Lane,<span><span></span>
					</span>Victor, New York<span><span></span>
					</span>14564<span><span></span>
					</span>(worksite)<span>
					</span>on May 3, 2017,<span>
					</span>when<span>
					</span>an employee<span>
					</span>fell<span><span></span>
					</span>from the roof<span><span></span>
					</span>and was injured.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>OSHA Compliance Officer<span><span></span>
					</span>(CO) Scott<span>
					</span>Schrilla investigated the worksite that same day.<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:.667px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:2; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">This case arises from an Ontario policy that directed its employees to traverse a steep second-story roof without fall protection at the beginning and end of each work day. On June 21, 2017, OSHA issued<span><span></span>
					</span>a Citation and Notification of Penalty (Citation)<span><span></span>
					</span>for<span><span></span>
					</span>one serious violation of OSHA’s fall protection standard, 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(13),<span><span></span>
					</span>with<span><span></span>
					</span>a proposed penalty of $3,622. (Ex. 3). Specifically, the Citation alleged that, on or about May 3, 2017, employees were accessing and egressing the peak of a steep roof without utilizing fall protection at the worksite. Respondent timely filed a<span>
					</span>notice of contest, bringing this<span><span></span>
					</span>matter before the Commission.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>This matter was designated for Simplified Proceedings in accordance with Subpart M of the Commission Rules<span><span></span>
					</span>on August 8, 2017. 29 C.F.R.<span><span></span>
					</span>§§ 2200.200,<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">et seq</span>.<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:.667px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:2; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">A<span><span></span>
					</span>one-day hearing was held in<span>
					</span>Rochester, New York on November 28, 2017.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Two witnesses<span>
					</span>testified<span><span></span>
					</span>at the hearing: Christopher Davis, Ontario’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and<span>
					</span>CO<span>
					</span>Schrilla.<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref2" href="#ftn2">1</a></span> The Secretary filed<span>
					</span>his<span><span></span>
					</span>post-hearing brief<span><span></span>
					</span>on February 5, 2018. Respondent<span>
					</span>did<span>
					</span>not file a post-hearing brief. </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:.667px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:2; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The facts are largely undisputed. The parties agreed<span><span></span>
					</span>that employees<span>
					</span>had not used<span><span></span>
					</span>fall protection when they traversed<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>roof<span><span></span>
					</span>between<span>
					</span>eave<span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>peak<span><span></span>
					</span>at the beginning and end of each workday. Ontario asserts that its<span>
					</span>employees were not required to use fall protection<span>
					</span>while moving<span>
					</span>between the<span><span></span>
					</span>roof’s<span>
					</span>eave<span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>peak<span><span></span>
					</span>at the beginning and end of each workday. The Secretary asserts employees<span>
					</span>were required to use fall protection on the roof at all times.<span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:.667px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:2; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">For the<span>
					</span>following<span>
					</span>reasons,<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>serious citation item is affirmed<span><span></span>
					</span>and a penalty of $1,811<span><span></span>
					</span>is<span>
					</span>assessed.</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">Jurisdiction</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Based<span>
					</span>upon the record, the Court<span><span></span>
					</span>finds<span><span></span>
					</span>Ontario, at all relevant times, was engaged in a business affecting commerce and was an employer within the meaning of §§ 3(3) and 3(5) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 652(3) and (5). (SF 1-5). The Court<span><span></span>
					</span>finds<span><span></span>
					</span>the Commission has jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter in this case. </p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:.667px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:2; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">Stipula</span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">ted<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">Facts</span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>and Principles of Law</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Secretary and Respondent<span>
					</span>stipulated<span><span></span>
					</span>in their Joint Pre-Hearing<span>
					</span>Statement<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>following<span><span></span>
					</span>facts<span><span></span>
					</span>and principles of law<span>
					</span>were agreed<span><span></span>
					</span>upon and required<span><span></span>
					</span>no proof at the hearing:<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref3" href="#ftn3">2</a></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">1. Jurisdiction of this action is conferred upon the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission by Section 10(c) of the OSH Act (“the Act”).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">2. Respondent is organized under the State of New York and doing business in the State of New York.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">3. Respondent’s business affects commerce within the meaning of the Act.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">4. Respondent is an employer within the meaning of the Act.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">5. Some of the materials and supplies used by Respondent during the relevant times originated and/or were shipped from outside New York State.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">6. Respondent performed work at 6712 Song Hill Lane, Victor, New York, 14564 (“the Worksite”).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">7. The Worksite is a structure built as a residential home.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">8. The Worksite was constructed using traditional wood frame construction materials and methods.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">9. Kellin Zuhlk[e]<span><span></span>
					</span>worked as a foreman for Respondent at the Worksite on May 3, 2017.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">10. Stan Jenks worked as a roofer for Respondent at the Worksite on May 3,<span>
					</span>2017.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">11. Stan Jenks worked as a backup foreman for Respondent prior to May 3, 2017 when Kellin Zuhlk[e]<span><span></span>
					</span>was away.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">12. Nick Griffin worked as a roofer for Respondent at the Worksite on May 3, 2017.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">13. Tim Smith worked as a roofer for Respondent at the Worksite on May 3, 2017.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">14. Luke Wisecup worked as a roofer for Respondent at the Worksite on May 3, 2017.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">15. [redacted]<span><span></span>
					</span>worked as a roofer for Respondent at the Worksite on May<span><span></span>
					</span>3, 2017.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">16. The roof at issue and referenced in the Citation, located at the Worksite (“the Roof”), has a slope of 9 in 12 (vertical to horizontal).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">17. The Roof was more than 6 feet in height above the lower level.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">18. The Roof had unprotected sides.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">19. The Roof did not have guardrails.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">20. There was no safety net at or below the Roof.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">21. Employees used a personal fall arrest system while working on the Roof.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">22. Prior to employees working on the Roof, they ascended from the top of the ladder to the peak of the Roof without engaging the personal fall arrest system.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">23. When employees ended their work on the Roof, they descended from the peak of the Roof to the top of the ladder without engaging the personal fall arrest system on a staircase of planks and brackets.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">24. When employees ended their work on the Roof of the Worksite, they stored the ropes attached to the fall arrest system at the peak of the Roof before descending from the peak.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">25. Respondent was aware of the facts numbered 22-24.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; margin-right:48px; ">(Ex. 4).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">Findings of Fact</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Christopher Davis has been the president and CEO of Ontario, a roofing contractor, since it was founded in 1995. (Tr. 20,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">29,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">141). Mr. Davis<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">routinely visited the company’s worksites</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; however, he genera</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">lly<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">did not act as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">foreman at a worksite. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 142). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">On May 3, 2017, six Ontario employees were<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">engaged in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">replacing the roof shingles on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">two-story<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">residential<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">home at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">6</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">712 Song Hill Lane, Victor, New York. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">20-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">21</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; SF 6-7</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). The six employees were<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Messrs.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Zuhlke</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, Jenks, Griffin, Smith,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Wisecup</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Tr. 21;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ex. 3;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">9-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">15</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). Mr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Zuhlke</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the foreman</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at this worksite</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">9</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schrilla inspected the worksite on May 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref4" href="#ftn4">3</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>after OSHA received a phone call</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from the Ontario County Sheriff that an employ</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ee had fallen off a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>roof at the worksite</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, suffered serious injuries</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and had been transported to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a local trauma center</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 40, 49).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>began</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">roofing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the home</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">four<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">days before</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">May 3<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ccident</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 26). The eav</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">e of the roof was a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">bout 18</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>feet from the ground and the pitch of the roof was 9 in 12</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(vertical to horizontal)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 22, 41</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-43, 51</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F 16</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; Ex</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at “B”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario had attached a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>series of D-rings<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the roof’s peak to serve as anchorage</span><span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref5" href="#ftn5">4</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>points for the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">employees’<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">personal fall arrest system</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref6" href="#ftn6">5</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">22-23,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">29). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">A</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>rope that served as a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall arrest<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">lifeline</span><span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref7" href="#ftn7">6</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hooked onto a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">D-ring<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">anchorage point at one end and hooked onto an employee’s personal fall arrest harness at the o</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">her end. (Tr. 24,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">44-47). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">At the end of every work day, the employees stored their fall arrest rope system, consisting of the rope itself with a 6-foot shock cord and the clasp that hooks onto a roofer</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s personal fall harness,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">at the roof’s peak</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">24,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">29</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F 24</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">E</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">mployees</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, including<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were stripping<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">shingles<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">near the roof’s peak</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on May 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 48). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>had<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">been an<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">employee<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">for about two weeks. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">94). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">While</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>working</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the roof,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">moved his rope from one D-ring anchorage point to another. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 47</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-48</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; Ex. 2 at “F”). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Apparently, he had not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">adequately<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">attached to the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>next</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ancho</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">rage point because as he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">worked,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>he slipped and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">began to fall</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 93-94</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 98</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). He</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>slid<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">down</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the roof and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">then<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">fell<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">approximately 18 feet</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the ground</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>where he blacked out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 49, 94)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">There was no roof bracket or ladder below where he was working</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>when he fell</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 48). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was transported to the local trauma center. (Tr. 40). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>incurred</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>compression fractures of the thoracic s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">pine</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref8" href="#ftn8">7</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and was unable to return to work as a roofer for Ontario.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> (Tr. 49</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 94</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schrilla arrived at Ontario’s worksite early in the afternoon</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(about 12:50 pm) on May 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and conducted a 3-hour onsite inspection</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 40, 10</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">2-0</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">3). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis was at t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">he worksite twice on May 3—</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">first<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">when<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was placed in</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ambulance and then again when CO Schrilla was onsite. (Tr. 140). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The CO interviewed the employees</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, including foreman Zuhlke</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref9" href="#ftn9">8</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">and Mr. Davis</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that day</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 103-08).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schrilla had been an OSHA<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>since 1991.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">He has a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 37</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-38</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). He had performed over 1,250 inspections, most of which included fall hazards. (Tr. 39). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Over f</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">orty<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">of those<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">inspections had been at residential construction sites. (Tr. 38). He served as the fall protection coordinator for OSHA’s Syracuse area office, which meant<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schrilla</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>maintained the office’s fall protection equipment, ensured the compliance officers were trained in use of fall protection equipment, and stayed up-to-date on OSHA fall protection standards and enforcement. (Tr. 38).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schrilla testified that a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">t<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">most</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">sites</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">employee</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">had</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">their</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fall arrest harness</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">lanyard</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref10" href="#ftn10">9</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and the rope grab</span><span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref11" href="#ftn11">10</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">attached to the end of the lanyard</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">on and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ready before cli</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">mbing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ladder</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from the ground</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the roof</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s eave</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 6</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-65).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">When the employee reached the top of the ladder</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">these</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sites</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the worker</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>attache</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>his</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>rope</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that should be attached to an adequate anchorage point</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, to his body harness</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as soon as he</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>step</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ped</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">off<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">from the ladder onto the roof. (Tr. 46, 64-65). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Sch</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">rilla</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>stated that</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at most worksites</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall protection<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ropes<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">were left at the roof’s “eave or hanging over the eave”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at the end of the day.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 46). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">He said there w</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">as</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">n</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">either</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> employee</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exposure to a greater hazard<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">nor additional costs<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">when<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ropes were<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">stor</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">at the eave, as is done</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at most sites. (Tr. 46). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s employees</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>did not follow th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">general practice</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>described by CO Sch</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">r</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">illa</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>worksite</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s management</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">directed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">its employees to use a different method.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Instead,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">as described more fully below,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s employees</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>stored the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ir</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ropes at the roof’s peak</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">at the end of each day</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref12" href="#ftn12">11</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">They then took a minute to walk from the roof’s peak to its eave without using any fall protection. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">24</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-27</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">42</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-43</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">47</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 51</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 105-06</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">22-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">5</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; Ex</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">1, “A”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">–“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">B”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis admitted that management</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>including himself, the safety manager,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">and/</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">or the site supervisor, directed Ontario’s employees to store their ropes<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">this way. (Tr. 25-26; SF<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">24)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">He further</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>admitted the ropes</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the roof</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at the worksite were<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">25 footers,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">long enough to have been coiled at the eave of the roof fo</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">r storage</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 27,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">30,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">34</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 43, 51</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; Ex. 1 at “B”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). Because Ontario stored its</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ropes at the roof’s peak</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, its employees could not connect their fall arrest systems<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">when they were at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the top of the ladder</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at the beginning of each work day</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref13" href="#ftn13">12</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">24,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">47;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ex. 3;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>24).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">From the top of the ladder, CO Schrilla<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">visually inspected the anchorage points at the roof’s peak and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">saw the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">nails (used to secure the anchorage points)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were in place and not protruding</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>up</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ward</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 69). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The CO<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">testified</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">used<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">personal fall arrest<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">systems most</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, but not all,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of the time while on the roof</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">22,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">42,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">58-59).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">personal fall arrest equipment</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>used at Ontario’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>site w</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">as</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">similar to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the systems that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schiller<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">had seen</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">t<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">many wor</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ksites</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 45). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">N</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">o other fall protection system</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, such as guardrails,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were used<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>worksite. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">22,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">41-42;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>19-20).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">used their personal fall arrest systems<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">during<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">most of the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ir</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">work shift</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; however, employees did not use fall protection</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>when they crossed the roof</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">t the beginning or</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>end of each</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>day. (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ex. 3;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>21</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-23</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>To access the roof<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">at the beginning of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ach<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">work</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">day, employees clim</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">bed the ladder to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">roof’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">eave</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">From the eave, employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">w</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">alk</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">directly to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the roof’s peak</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; an effort that took a minute</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref14" href="#ftn14">13</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> (Tr. 2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">4</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-27</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 43, 51</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; Ex. 1, “A”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">–“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">B”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Employees did not use any fall protection</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>equipment between the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">roof’s eave</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">its</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>peak</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 24;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ex. 3;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>22). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Upon reaching the roof’s peak, each</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employee attached<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>rope to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the D-ring on the back of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">his fall arrest harness</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 23-2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">9</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 44-45</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">At the end of the work shift, the employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">reversed the process</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">—they<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">detached the rope</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from their<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall arrest harness</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">coiled</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>up or zigzagged across the roof at the ridge”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the ropes for storage at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the peak of the roof</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. They then crossed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the roof</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from the peak to the ladder at the roof’s eave</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">25</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 30</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">SF<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">23</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">24</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 43, 51</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; Ex. 1, “A”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">–“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">B”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Both<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Messrs. Davis</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Jenks</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>told</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the CO<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">on May 3<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that it was standard practice to not tie-off until they reached the roof’s peak. (Tr. 104).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">This was Ontario’s standard<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">method for the use of fall protection equipment</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on a roof</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">25-26, 32</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 42, 107</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Mr. Davis instructed his employees to leave the ropes stored at the roof’s peak at the end of each work day. And he instructed employees to not use fall protection when moving between the eave and peak at the start and end of each work day. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">25-26, 32</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 43, 51</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; Ex. 1, “A”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">–“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">B”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis testified<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">it was company policy to move<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">directly<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">from the ladder<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">up and across the roof<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">and then attach to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall protection anchorage point at the roof’s peak. (Tr. 25-26, 32). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>specifically</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>instructed employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">o climb the ladder to the eave, step off the ladder onto the roof,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">walk<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the roof’s peak</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, straddle the roof ridge</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, find their appropriate safety line</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and then hook the rope into the safety harness. (Tr.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">32,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">43, 51,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">126-27</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 131</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; Ex. 1, “A”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">–“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">B”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Employees were instructed to not do any roofing work when moving<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">from eave to peak. (Tr. 33, 127</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>expected each employee to inspect the anchorage point and the rope at the time the rope was hooked into the safety harness at the roof’s peak. (Tr. 127).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">He</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>believed the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">anchorage point and its attached rope could not be inspected from the top of the ladder. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">157-58</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Four to six employees were generally on the roof a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">t the end of the work day</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">These<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">were<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">instructed to straddle the roof and take off their fall arrest system.”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> After<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">unhook</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ing, they</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>store</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ir four to six</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>rope</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at the peak before<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">they descended</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, probably one at a time at the foreman’s discretion,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from the roof’s peak to its eave</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>using<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“staircase of planks and brackets.”</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref15" href="#ftn15">14</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 24-25</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 28</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-30</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 57</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-58</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F 23</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">24</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario did not have a policy requiring it</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>roofers to descend from the peak<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">using the “staircase” in single</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">file</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">one at a time. (Tr. 28).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis believed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that Ontario’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>method was safer than using fall protection while crossing the roof</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at the beginning and end of each workday</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. He believed it was easier to get on and off the roof<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">when an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employee was not hooked into the fall arrest system. (Tr. 126</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-27</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 143</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-45</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). Mr. Davis believed it was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">difficult to hook<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the rope to the harness’s D-ring<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">with just one hand</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>while standing on a ladder</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">He testified that o</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">nly</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>one hand<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">was available<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">because</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">employee’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">other hand was holding onto the ladder</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> (Tr. 128-29). Mr. Davis<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">also<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">found it was too difficult to hook onto the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall arrest<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">equipment<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">before climbing the ladder to the roof</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr. 129-30, 134). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schrilla understood, from</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">employee</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>interviews</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ropes<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">were</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">tored at the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">peak,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">so<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">they would not be “unsightly” to the client or damage the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">home’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">siding. (Tr. 47</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">; Ex. 3 at 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO stated he had not seen synthetic ropes</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, such as those used at this</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>worksite,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>damage<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a home’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">siding. (Tr. 47).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>CO Schrilla stated that when he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">use</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a personal fall arrest system</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>he attached the rope to his harness while<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">at the top of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the ladder.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>He said that this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">took<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a matter of seconds. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 65</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 100</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> Alternatively</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">if he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">hooked onto the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall arrest<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">system<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">before he started to climb up the ladder, he just move</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the rope grab up with his left hand as he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">climbed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the ladder. (Tr. 80).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schrilla stated that he had not seen<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">another employer</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>use Ontario’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">policy</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">of waiting to reach the roof’s peak to attach to fall protection</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 10</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">8).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Further, the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO stated that</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">if employees had difficulty hooking<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">o</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">nto the system from the ladder, other<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">configurations of harness and rope systems,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that were easier to use</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">were available<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">for purchase</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>86, 99, 134-36</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schrilla also testified that “[i]t’s very easy” to keep three points of contact while repeatedly sliding the rope grab up providing fall protection while climbing a ladder. (Tr. 79-80, 153). He said doing this was less of an accident hazard than going straight up a ladder, stepping onto a roof, walking to a roof’s ridge, straddling the ridge and then hooking into a harness, as Ontario requires. (Tr. 80-81). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schrilla<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">further<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">testified that</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fall protection system used at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">worksite did not fall under an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">y</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exemption</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the cited standard</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that may be available<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">where<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">work on a roof ha</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>been completed, all fall<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">protection<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">equipment<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">has been removed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, and an employee<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">wa</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s unable to tie off because there<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fall protection<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">anchorage points have been removed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Here, he said such an exemption would not be available to Ontario</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>May 3<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">work<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">because “they’re actively performing the roofing work and there’s fall protection available and functional.” </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">He said Ontario’s employees we</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">r</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">e engaged in construction<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">activity when moving from the roof’s eave to its peak. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 53-54</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 60-61</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 66-67</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">Secretary’s Burden<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">of</span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>Proof</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; ">To establish a violation of an OSHA standard, the Secretary must prove that:<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(1) the cited standard applies; (2) the terms of the standard were violated; (3) one or more employees had access to the cited condition; and (4) the employer knew, or with the exercise of reasonable diligence could have known, of the violative condition. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Astra Pharm. Prod</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">s</span>., 9 BNA OSHC 2126, 2129 (No. 78-6247, 1981),<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff’d,</span><span><span></span>
					</span>681 F.2d 69 (1st<span><span></span>
					</span>Cir. 1982).<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">ANALYSIS</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">Citation 1, Item 1</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Citation 1, Item 1, alleged<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(13), which states:</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">(b)(13)<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Residential construction</span>. Each employee engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system unless another provision in paragraph (b) of this section provides for an alternative fall protection measure.<span>
					</span>Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of § 1926.502.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">Note: There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above-listed fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complies with § 1926.502(k) for a<span>
					</span>particular workplace<span><span></span>
					</span>situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The Secretary asserts<span><span></span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>fall protection<span><span></span>
					</span>was not used<span>
					</span>at all times<span><span></span>
					</span>when<span><span></span>
					</span>an employee was<span>
					</span>on<span>
					</span>the roof<span><span></span>
					</span>at the beginning and end of each workday. Respondent asserts<span><span></span>
					</span>that while moving<span>
					</span>from the roof’s eave<span>
					</span>to the roof’s peak,<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>“inspection”<span>
					</span>exception to the requirement for fall protection<span><span></span>
					</span>at 29 C.F.R.<span><span></span>
					</span>§<span>
					</span>1926.500(a)(1)<span><span></span>
					</span>applied and employees were not required to use fall<span>
					</span>protection.<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref16" href="#ftn16">15</a></span> Respondent also asserts<span><span></span>
					</span>the affirmative defenses of infeasibility and greater hazard. (Ex. 4 at 4).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">Applicability</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>&</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>Employee Exposure</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Employees<span><span></span>
					</span>were<span>
					</span>working on the<span>
					</span>roof<span><span></span>
					</span>of<span><span></span>
					</span>a residential structure<span><span></span>
					</span>that was<span>
					</span>more than<span>
					</span>6 feet above the next lower level. (SF<span><span></span>
					</span>7, 17). The cited standard applies.<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
				</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; ">With respect to exposure,<span>
					</span>Respondent argues<span><span></span>
					</span>that its employees were not<span>
					</span>engaged in any<span>
					</span>roofing<span>
					</span>activity<span><span></span>
					</span>while<span><span></span>
					</span>they<span>
					</span>moved<span><span></span>
					</span>from the eave to the peak of the roof—they engaged in roofing work after tying off<span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>the fall protection system<span><span></span>
					</span>at the peak. (Tr. 127, 131). Respondent also seems to<span>
					</span>suggest<span><span></span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>its employees were not at work when they<span>
					</span>moved<span><span></span>
					</span>from the ladder to the roof’s peak<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>not subject to<span>
					</span>OSHA’s fall protection<span><span></span>
					</span>requirements.<span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref17" href="#ftn17">16</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 157-58). The Court rejects<span>
					</span>Respondent’s argument. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Employee exposure is established where<span>
					</span>an employee<span>
					</span>was or<span>
					</span>could be exposed to the hazard “while in<span><span></span>
					</span>the course of assigned working duties, personal comfort activities while on the job or their normal means of ingress-egress to their assigned workplaces.” <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Calpine Corp.</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">27</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">BNA<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">OSHC 1014, 1016-17 (</span>No. 11-1734, 2018) (citations omitted). Here, it is undisputed that six of Respondent’s employees were working on the roof<span><span></span>
					</span>on May 3.<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref18" href="#ftn18">17</a></span> (Ex. 3;<span>
					</span>SF 9-15). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Ontario’s employees were subject to fall protection requirements at all locations on the worksite where they<span>
					</span>were exposed to a fall over 6 feet. Exposure is not limited to the time an employee was engaged in<span>
					</span>a specific<span>
					</span>roofing<span>
					</span>activity. The assigned workplace for these employees was<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>entire roof.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The roof’s peak was simply the starting point<span>
					</span>for the roofing work.<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref19" href="#ftn19">18</a></span> Exposure does not<span>
					</span>hinge<span><span></span>
					</span>on whether an employee was engaged in a<span><span></span>
					</span>specific<span>
					</span>roofing activity while crossing the roof. Respondent’s argument that employees were not yet at work prior to hooking into the fall arrest system at the roof’s peak is rejected. While<span>
					</span>employees<span>
					</span>crossed the roof,<span><span></span>
					</span>they<span>
					</span>were<span><span></span>
					</span>engaged in<span><span></span>
					</span>their assigned work duties,<span>
					</span>were<span>
					</span>exposed to a fall from a height over 6 feet,<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>thus,<span>
					</span>required to use fall protection.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Exposure is not neutralized when employees are in<span>
					</span>the ingress-egress area. In<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Stevers Roof Side Remodel, Ltd.</span>, 24 BNA OSHC 1962,<span>
					</span>1966<span><span></span>
					</span>(No. 13-0039, 2013) (ALJ)<span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><br/></span>,<span>
					</span>the court found<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>roofers were exposed to fall hazards in violation of the standard at 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(13),<span><span></span>
					</span>where<span>
					</span>the roofers<span><span></span>
					</span>walked to a ladder without using fall protection,<span><span></span>
					</span>which was their normal means<span>
					</span>roof<span><span></span>
					</span>egress.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Because<span><span></span>
					</span>“[i]t is not the activity being performed but the workers’ exposure to the fall hazard that requires fall protection,”<span>
					</span>here the<span><span></span>
					</span>six<span>
					</span>Ontario<span>
					</span>employees were<span>
					</span>exposed to falls during<span>
					</span>their normal routes of ingress and egress<span>
					</span>each day.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Stevers Roof Side Remodel, Ltd.</span>, 24 BNA OSHC<span>
					</span>at<span><span></span>
					</span>1966. Furthermore, “even if . . . employees are exposed to a hazardous condition only briefly, brief duration does not negate the violation or its seriousness.”<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><br/></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Flint Eng’g & Constr. Co.</span>, 15 BNA OSHC 2052, 2056 (No. 90-2873, 1992).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>It took<span>
					</span>Ontario’s<span>
					</span>employees approximately one minute to climb up<span>
					</span>from the eave<span>
					</span>to the peak and approximately one minute to climb down from the peak<span>
					</span>to the eave<span>
					</span>each<span>
					</span>workday.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>That it takes only a second for an employee to lose his footing and fall pointedly illustrates the rationale behind the Commission’s refusal to<span>
					</span>negate a violation<span><span></span>
					</span>because of the<span><span></span>
					</span>brevity<span><span></span>
					</span>of employee exposure.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><br/></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Court finds all six employees were exposed to the cited hazard<span><span></span>
					</span>on May 3.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Ex. 3 at 2-3).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">Knowledge</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Secretary must prove the employer either knew, or with the exercise of reasonable diligence could have known, of the violative condition. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Revoli Constr. Co.</span>, 19 BNA OSHC 1682, 1684 (No. 00-0315, 2001). The employer’s knowledge is directed to<span><span></span>
					</span>the physical condition that constitutes a violation. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Phoenix Roofing, Inc.</span>, 17 BNA OSHC 1076, 1079-1080 (No. 90-2148, 1995)<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span>, 79 F.3d 1146 (5th<span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>Cir. 1996). It is not necessary to show<span>
					</span>the employer knew or understood the condition was hazardous. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">
					</span>Knowledge is imputed through an employer’s management and supervisory employees. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See Calpine</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Corp.</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">27<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">BNA<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">OSHC at 10</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">18</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis instructed his employees to walk to and from the roof peak at the start and end of the day without the use of fall protection. (Tr. 32, 126-27). He</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">knew employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">left</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the ropes for attachment coiled at the roof peak at the end of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">each</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>day. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">29</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span>Foreman Zuhlke also knew Ontario’s employees were going from the top of the ladder to the peak without being hooked up to anything at the start of each morning’s work. Foreman Zuhlke, himself, engaged in the practice. (Tr. 102-06; Ex. 3). <span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Further</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>both parties stipulated that Ontario had knowledge<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">its</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employees were not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">connected to a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fall arrest<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">system</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>when ascending<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">desc</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ending the roof at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">beginning</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and end</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the work shift. (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>22-25).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Knowledge is established through<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">CEO</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Davis</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">and Foreman Zuhlke’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">actual knowledge<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">employees did not use<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">any<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall protection while<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">crossing the roof to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>begin and end<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the work shift.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref20" href="#ftn20">19</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">Violation of the Cited Standard</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The standard requires the use of fall protection when an employee is six feet above the next lower level. There was no guardrail or safety net system in use at this<span><span></span>
					</span>worksite. (SF<span><span></span>
					</span>19-20). Here,<span>
					</span>Ontario’s<span>
					</span>selected fall protection method was<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span><span></span>
					</span>personal fall arrest system<span>
					</span>for<span>
					</span>each employee. (SF<span><span></span>
					</span>21). However, at least twice a day Ontario’s employees did not use their personal fall arrest systems.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Both parties agreed<span><span></span>
					</span>that when<span><span></span>
					</span>moving from eave to peak at the start and end of the work shift, employees<span>
					</span>had not used<span><span></span>
					</span>their fall arrest systems. (SF<span><span></span>
					</span>22-24). The Court finds that<span>
					</span>Respondent was not in compliance with the standard’s requirement to use fall protection on the roof and<span>
					</span>thus<span>
					</span>violated the cited standard.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Even so, Respondent asserts it<span>
					</span>was not required to comply with the standard’s<span>
					</span>fall protection<span>
					</span>requirements. First, Respondent asserts it qualified<span><span></span>
					</span>for 29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1)’s<span>
					</span>exemption from<span><span></span>
					</span>fall protection<span><span></span>
					</span>use. Secondly, Respondent asserts<span><span></span>
					</span>it qualified for the exception provided within the cited standard<span><span></span>
					</span>of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(13). Finally, Respondent asserts<span><span></span>
					</span>the affirmative defenses of greater hazard and infeasibility.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1)</span><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">fall protection exemption for</span><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>inspection, investigation or assessment</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1)<span><span></span>
					</span>states:</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(a)</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> This subpart sets forth requirements and criteria for fall protection in construction workplaces covered under 29 CFR part 1926. Exception: The provisions of this subpart do not apply when employees are<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">making an inspection</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, investigation, or assessment of workplace conditions prior to the actual start of construction work or after all construction work has been completed. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>argue</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it qualified</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for this e</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">xception because its employees we</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">re engaged in an “inspection”</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">activity that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">occur</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">r</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>prior to</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the beginning<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">and after<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the completion of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">construction work. For the reasons set forth below, the Court rejects this a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">rgument</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">As the party seeking the benefit of</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>an exception to a standard, Ontario has</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the burden to show the exception<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">applies</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Kaspar Wire Works, Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 18 BNA OSHC 2178, 2194 (No. 90-2775, 2000), </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff'd</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 268 F.3d 1123 (D.C. Cir. 2001).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> Further,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Commission precedent requires that “exceptions are to be narrowly construed.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Brooks Well Servicing Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 20 BNA OSHC 12</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">86, 1288-89 (No. 99-0849, 2003)<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(citations omitted).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> The Court finds that Ontario f</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ailed </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">show the exception</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>applies at its worksite</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">OSHA</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">construction fall protection standard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were updated through</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>rulemaking</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">became effective</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>February 6, 1995</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Safety Standards for Fall Protection in the Construction Industry,</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Final Rule Preamble,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">59 FR 40672</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Aug. 9, 1994) (</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Preamble</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“[T]he preamble to a standard is the most authoritative evidence of the meaning of the standard.” </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Superior Rigging & Erecting Co</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">., 18 BNA OSHC 2089, 2091</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(No. 96-0126, 2000</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The preamble</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">stated the purpose of t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">exception at 19</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">26.500(a)(1)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as follows</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Paragraph (a)(1) . . .<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">states that the provisions of subpart M do not apply when the employer establishes that employees are<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">only</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>inspecting, investigating, or assessing workplace conditions prior to the actual start of the work or after work has been completed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. OSHA has set this exception because employees engaged in inspecting, investigating and assessing workplace conditions before the actual work begins or after work has been completed are exposed to fall hazards for very short durations, if at all, since they most likely would be able to accomplish their work without going near the danger zone. Also, the Agency's experience is that such individuals who are not continually or routinely exposed to fall hazards tend to be very focused on their footing, ever alert and aware of the hazards associated<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">with<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">falling. These practical considerations would make it unreasonable, the Agency believes, to require the installation of fall prote</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ction systems either prior to the start of construction work or after such work has been completed. Such requirements would impose an unreasonable burden on employers without</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>demonstrable benefits.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">mphasis added). </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Preamble,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">59 FR<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at 40675.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">T</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he preamble<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">emphasize</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">d</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">exemption</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">wa</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s limited</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, in that it<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">only applied</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">particular activity</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(inspectin</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">g, investigating, or assessing)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>performed at a particular time</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(before the actual work begins or after work has been completed)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>In response to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">public<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">comments, OSHA<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">also<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">explained</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">—</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">OSHA has decided<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. . .<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to make it clear<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">the exclusion<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">only</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>applies</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>when the employer establishes that employees are inspecting, investigating, or assessing workplace conditions prior to the actual start of work or after the work has been completed.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">It was OSHA's intent when it proposed this provision that the exclusion would<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">only apply at the two times stated above</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, not during the period when construction work is being performed. As explained in the preamble to the proposed rule, the exception would apply where an employee goes onto a roof in need of repair to inspect the roof and to estimate what work is needed. During such an inspection, guardrails, body belts, body harnesses, safety nets, or other safety systems would not be required. However,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">if inspections are made while construction operations are underway</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">all employees</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">who are exposed to fall hazards while performing these inspections must be protected</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as required by subpart M</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The intent of the provision is also to recognize that after all work has been completed, and workers have left the area, there may be a need for building inspectors, owners, etc. to inspect the work. OSHA recognizes that in these situations, all fall protection</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>equipment, such as perimeter guardrail systems, may have been removed. OSHA is not requiring the installation of the systems for a second time for<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">inspectors, because the Agency recognizes it would be unreasonably burdensome to require the reinstallation of fall protection equipment after all the work has been completed.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">mphasis added). </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Preamble,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">59 FR<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at 40675.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">This preamble<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">excerpt</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">demonstrates<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">OSHA intend</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the exemption</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">be narrowly applied</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The premise for<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“inspection”</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">exemption</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">is the practical issue of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">whether</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">a fall protection system would be in place prior to the beginning of construction<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">work<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">or after the construction</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>work</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>had been completed.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">During the construction project, fall protection systems<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">are</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in place. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">erefore</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he exemption</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>does not apply during</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the construction project itself;<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">it applies at<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">two discrete<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">times</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">—</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">just<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">before and after the construction pro</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">cess. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Here,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent asserts that when<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">employees entered and exited the roof</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>during</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>each<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">day’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">work shift</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">it qualified</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for this<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">exemption</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">T</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">h</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>pl</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ain language of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the standard and</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the preamble explanation</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">do not support Respondent’s assertion. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Both<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">state</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the ex</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">emption</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is limited to two<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">discrete<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">times<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">outside</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>construction project and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">does not apply<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">on a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">daily</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>basis</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>during<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">construction project.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">T</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he preamble<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">cl</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">arified</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that “while construction operations are underway, all employees who are exposed to fall hazards . . . must be protected.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Here, t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he construction project was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the re-</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">roofing<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">a residential home. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">had<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">neither started nor completed the construction project on May 3</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario employees had been engaged in roo</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">fing work for at least four days</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Employee</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exposure on May 3 occurred while construction operations were underway</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thus, the timing of the employees’ exposure does not fall within the confines of the ex</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">em</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ption.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>also asserts employees were engaged in<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the type of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">activity that qualified</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for the ex</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">emption</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>when they inspected</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the anchorage points<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">each morning<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">as they hook</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>o</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">nto the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall arrest<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">system. I</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">nspecting fall protection equipment at the beginning<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">or end<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">of each work shift</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is not the type of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">activity included within the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall protection exemption</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. The preamble ma</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">kes</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>clear the ex</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">emption</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>wa</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s premised on the fact that fall protection equipment</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was not in place either because it had</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">not yet been instal</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">led or had</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">already<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">been removed<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">after</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the construction</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">was</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">completed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Here,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the fall arrest system, including the necessary anchorage points, was already in place when employees started work on May 3. (Tr. 118). </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thus, inspection of the fall protection anchorage points installed on the roof a few days before wou</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ld not be an activity included in the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ex</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">em</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ption.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Additionally,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis acknowledged<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">employees were not primarily on the roof to inspect<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">anchorage points</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. H</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e stated that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the sole reason that they are getting on the roof is to tie off.” (Tr. 158)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">By his own words, Mr. Davis indicated employees were not engaged in assessing, investigating, or inspectin</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">g work during the time they<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">crossed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the roof from the eave to peak. Being unprotected for the sole purpose of crossing t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he roof to the anchorage point<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">is</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not an activity included within the ex</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">em</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ption. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent’s employees were not engaged in<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">an activity that fell</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>within the confines of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the standard’s exception. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Nor did the activity fall within the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">two<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">di</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">screte times<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that would qualify for<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the exception.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>According to both<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the preamble and text of the standard, the exception at 29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>does not apply here</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Respondent<span>
					</span>also<span>
					</span>asserts<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>two OSHA<span>
					</span>interpretation<span>
					</span>letters,<span>
					</span>Exhibits A-B,<span>
					</span>support its<span>
					</span>assertion<span><span></span>
					</span>the exception at<span>
					</span>29 C.F.R. §<span>
					</span>1926.500(a)(1)<span><span></span>
					</span>applied. (Exs.<span>
					</span>A-B). The Court<span><span></span>
					</span>finds neither letter<span><span></span>
					</span>supports<span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent’s assertion. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>In a<span>
					</span>March 2, 2010<span><span></span>
					</span>letter<span><span></span>
					</span>at<span><span></span>
					</span>Exhibit<span>
					</span>A,<span>
					</span>OSHA<span>
					</span>set<span><span></span>
					</span>forth an interpretation<span>
					</span>of<span>
					</span>29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1) based on<span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>hypothetical<span>
					</span>work<span><span></span>
					</span>scenario. In the scenario, prior to the start of construction,<span>
					</span>an<span>
					</span>engineer<span>
					</span>would be<span><span></span>
					</span>inspecting<span><span></span>
					</span>a roof for<span>
					</span>a three-hour period during which<span>
					</span>the engineer would be<span><span></span>
					</span>near,<span><span></span>
					</span>and leaning over,<span><span></span>
					</span>the edge of a<span><span></span>
					</span>roof<span><span></span>
					</span>that was 40 feet above<span><span></span>
					</span>the next lower level. (Ex. A). <span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>OSHA<span>
					</span>stated that<span>
					</span>the inspection exemption<span>
					</span>at 29 C.F.R. §<span>
					</span>1926.500(a)(1)<span><span></span>
					</span>presumed<span><span></span>
					</span>that an inspector would<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">not</span><span><span></span>
					</span>be<span><span></span>
					</span>working so<span>
					</span>close to<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>unprotected side or edge<span><span></span>
					</span>of a roof.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Ex. A).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>OSHA concluded that in this work scenario, the exception would not apply because the<span>
					</span>intent behind the standard’s exception for inspection work<span><span></span>
					</span>was not consistent with an inspector<span>
					</span>working<span>
					</span>near the roof’s edge<span><span></span>
					</span>for<span>
					</span>three<span><span></span>
					</span>hours.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.<span>
						</span></span><span><span></span>
					</span>OSHA stated that in situations<span><span></span>
					</span>that kept “employees in close proximity to a fall hazard” the exemption<span>
					</span>would<span><span></span>
					</span>not apply. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The<span><span></span>
					</span>OSHA<span><span></span>
					</span>letter<span><span></span>
					</span>at Exhibit A<span><span></span>
					</span>demonstrates that even<span>
					</span>in<span><span></span>
					</span>a scenario where the<span><span></span>
					</span>activity is<span>
					</span>limited to<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span><span></span>
					</span>pre-construction inspection,<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>fall protection exemption will<span><span></span>
					</span>not<span>
					</span>always<span>
					</span>apply. Depending on the circumstances, fall protection may still be required<span><span></span>
					</span>for an<span><span></span>
					</span>employee, even when it is an inspection only activity.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Exhibit A<span>
					</span>is not<span>
					</span>comparable<span><span></span>
					</span>to the facts at issue here. At Ontario’s worksite, the<span><span></span>
					</span>employees were not engineers, were not engaged in roof<span><span></span>
					</span>inspections, and<span>
					</span>the work<span><span></span>
					</span>was not prior to the start of construction. Instead,<span>
					</span>Ontario’s<span>
					</span>employees<span>
					</span>were<span>
					</span>engaged in roofing work<span>
					</span>during<span>
					</span>an<span>
					</span>ongoing<span><span></span>
					</span>construction project. The scenario<span><span></span>
					</span>in Exhibit A<span>
					</span>is not informative to Ontario’s worksite.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>OSHA’s<span>
					</span>March 12, 2004<span><span></span>
					</span>letter<span><span></span>
					</span>at<span><span></span>
					</span>Exhibit B also provided<span><span></span>
					</span>an<span>
					</span>interpretation of<span>
					</span>the exception at<span>
					</span>29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1). In this<span>
					</span>hypothetical work<span>
					</span>scenario,<span>
					</span>employees<span>
					</span>were<span>
					</span>inspecting<span>
					</span>a roof<span>
					</span>to determine<span><span></span>
					</span>whether repairs were needed.<span><span></span>
					</span>(Ex. B). If<span>
					</span>a needed repair took<span><span></span>
					</span>less time than<span>
					</span>the installation of<span><span></span>
					</span>fall protection,<span>
					</span>the employees would make<span><span></span>
					</span>the repair<span><span></span>
					</span>during the inspection process.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span>
				</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>OSHA stated<span><span></span>
					</span>that<span><span></span>
					</span>pre-work inspection<span>
					</span>of the roof<span>
					</span>generally<span>
					</span>qualified<span><span></span>
					</span>for the<span>
					</span>fall protection exemption. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id. </span>However,<span>
					</span>if repairs<span><span></span>
					</span>were made while the employees were inspecting the roof, the exemption<span>
					</span>no longer applied<span><span></span>
					</span>and fall protection<span>
					</span>equipment<span><span></span>
					</span>was<span><span></span>
					</span>required. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>OSHA<span>
					</span>cited<span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>preamble<span><span></span>
					</span>text that<span><span></span>
					</span>stated “[I]f inspections are made while construction operations are underway, all employees who are exposed to fall hazards while performing inspections must be protected as required by Subpart M.” <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">
					</span>Thus, when the scope of the work<span><span></span>
					</span>went<span><span></span>
					</span>beyond inspection and included<span><span></span>
					</span>repair work (construction)<span>
					</span>the exemption no longer applied. <span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The letter at Exhibit B demonstrates that<span>
					</span>even where the primary<span>
					</span>activity<span><span></span>
					</span>is inspection, any construction activity<span>
					</span>negates the<span>
					</span>exemption.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id. </span>Making repairs to the roof changes the nature of the work and fall protection must be used. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span>
				</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>At Ontario’s worksite here, the primary activity was roofing work.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Any inspection of equipment was secondary to the construction work. Further, as<span>
					</span>Ontario’s employees<span>
					</span>traversed the<span>
					</span>roof,<span><span></span>
					</span>they<span>
					</span>were not engaged in<span>
					</span>inspection<span><span></span>
					</span>work. Exhibit B does not support Respondent’s assertion that it qualified<span><span></span>
					</span>for the exception at<span>
					</span>29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1). Rather, Exhibit B<span>
					</span>reiterates<span><span></span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>the work at Respondent’s worksite on May 3<span>
					</span>required the use of fall protection and did not qualify for an exemption.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>As both Exhibits<span><span></span>
					</span>A and B demonstrate,<span>
					</span>the exception within<span>
					</span>29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1)<span>
					</span>was promulgated for a<span>
					</span>narrow<span>
					</span>exemption from<span><span></span>
					</span>Subpart M’s<span>
					</span>requirement for fall protection<span><span></span>
					</span>in construction. Exhibit A provided<span><span></span>
					</span>an<span>
					</span>example<span><span></span>
					</span>of a work scenario<span><span></span>
					</span>where<span>
					</span>inspection-only activity<span><span></span>
					</span>would<span><span></span>
					</span>not qualify for<span>
					</span>the exemption. Exhibit B provided<span><span></span>
					</span>an example<span>
					</span>where<span><span></span>
					</span>even when inspection was the primary activity,<span>
					</span>small<span>
					</span>roofing<span>
					</span>repairs<span>
					</span>nullified<span>
					</span>the exemption.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>OSHA’s interpretations at Exhibits A and B<span>
					</span>do not support Respondent’s position that it qualified<span><span></span>
					</span>for the fall protection<span><span></span>
					</span>exemption. Based on<span>
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">these two letters,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the preamble, and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">plain text of the cited standard,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Court concludes the Respondent does not qualify for the exception at 29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">Exception</span><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>for an alternate fall protection plan that complies</span><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">§<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">1926.502(k)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The cited standard,<span>
					</span>29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(13),<span>
					</span>allows<span>
					</span>an employer<span>
					</span>to<span><span></span>
					</span>implement an alternate<span><span></span>
					</span>fall protection<span>
					</span>plan<span><span></span>
					</span>if the employer can demonstrate it<span>
					</span>was either infeasible<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref21" href="#ftn21">20</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span>or a<span>
					</span>greater hazard to implement one<span>
					</span>of the<span>
					</span>conventional fall protection systems (guardrails, safety net, or personal fall arrest) required by the standard.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>29 C.F.R § 1926.501(b)(13).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The<span><span></span>
					</span>alternate<span>
					</span>plan<span>
					</span>must satisfy<span><span></span>
					</span>ten requirements set forth at<span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "> 29 C.F.R. § 1926.502</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(k)</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref22" href="#ftn22">21</a></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s only evidence of a possible</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>alternate fall protection plan was a desc</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ription of the</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>work procedure<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">provided<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">by Mr. Davis.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">When they step off the</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ladder, they are instructed by company policy to go</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">straight to the ridge, straddle the ridge, and hook</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">into their safety harness system. There is no work</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">commencing<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. . .<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">[t]</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">hey are</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">not pounding a nail. They are not pulling a shingle.</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">They are performing no trade whatsoever pertaining to</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">roofing until they are all clipped in safely per our</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">company policy</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 131).</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario’s work procedure<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">does not satisfy the requirements for a</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">n alternate fall protection plan</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>set forth at<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">29 C.F.R.</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>§ 1926.502(k)</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Because Ontario</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>did not have a</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">n alternate</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>plan that m</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">et</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the requirements of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.502(k), it<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">does</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not qualify for the exception at<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">29 C.F.R. §<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1926.501(b</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)(</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">13)</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; color:#212121; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">Affirmative Defenses – Greater Hazard and Infeasibility</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent also<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">sets forth<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">arguments that implicate the affirmative defenses of greater hazard and infeasibility. Respondent bears the burden of proof for these defenses</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="font-style:italic; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Briones Util. Co.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 26 BNA<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">OSHC 1218, 1220</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(No.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">10-1372,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>2016)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">With respect to greater</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hazard, Respondent asserts<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">an employee needs<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">two hands<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">t</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">o attach the rope to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">D-ring on the back of an employee’s</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">personal fall arrest harness. </span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 156-57). </span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">When an employee is on a ladder, the employee must keep at least one hand on the ladder to maintain safety. </span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ontario argues</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>i</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">f an employee is on the ladder and using</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>both hands to connect</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the D-ring</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>he is more likely to fall. Respondent asserts this hazard is greater than moving across the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">roof</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>without fall protection</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>twice a day</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 156-57). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">To prove the affirmative defense of greater hazard,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the Commission requires a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>show</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">: </span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(1) the hazards created by complying with the standard are greater than those of noncompliance; (2) other methods of protecting its employees from the hazards are not available; and (3) a variance is not available or is inappropriate.</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1991434395&pubNum=0003227&originatingDoc=Ifb080455e58e11e39488c8f438320c70&refType=CA&fi=co_pp_sp_3227_2078&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Folder*cid.e4b9ee2395cd4fcaa8afd9b528ed62f2*oc.Search)#co_pp_sp_3227_2078"><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="font-style:italic; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Walker Towing Corp.</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 14 BNA OSHC 2072, 2078 (No. 87-1359</span></a><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 1991).<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent must prove e</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ach element of this</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>three-part test<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to establish the</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>defense. </span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="font-style:italic; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See </span><a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1989080895&pubNum=0000350&originatingDoc=Ifb080455e58e11e39488c8f438320c70&refType=RP&fi=co_pp_sp_350_190&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Folder*cid.e4b9ee2395cd4fcaa8afd9b528ed62f2*oc.Search)#co_pp_sp_350_190"><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="font-style:italic; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Dole v. Williams Enters., Inc.</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 876 F.2d 186,</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
							</span>188</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
							</span>(D.C. Cir. 1989)</span></a><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(citations omitted)</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">W</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">hen an employer does not explain why it did not apply for a variance, the greater hazard defense fails and there is no need to address the other two elements of the test.</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=2025234343&pubNum=0003227&originatingDoc=Ifb080455e58e11e39488c8f438320c70&refType=CA&fi=co_pp_sp_3227_1470&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Folder*cid.e4b9ee2395cd4fcaa8afd9b528ed62f2*oc.Search)#co_pp_sp_3227_1470"><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="font-style:italic; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Altor, Inc.</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 23 BNA OSHC 1458, 1470 (No. 99-0958</span></a><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 2011) (citations<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">o</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">mitted) </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; margin-left:-48px; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="font-style:italic; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff'd</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, </span><a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=2028515633&pubNum=0006538&originatingDoc=Ifb080455e58e11e39488c8f438320c70&refType=RP&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Folder*cid.e4b9ee2395cd4fcaa8afd9b528ed62f2*oc.Search)"><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">498 F. App</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">’</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">x</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
							</span>145 (3d Cir. 2012)</span></a><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(unpublished)</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Here, Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">presented<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">no evidence of whether it had</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">applied for a variance</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Because there is no proof for this element, t</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Court finds the</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>affirmative defense</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of greater hazard fails.</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">To prove </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the affirmative defense of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">infeasibility, an employer must show that</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">:</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1) literal compliance with the terms of the cited standard was infeasible; and (2) an alternative protective measure wa</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s used or there was no<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">alternative measure</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>available</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Otis Elevator Co.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 24 BNA OSHC 1081, 1087 (No. 09-1278, 2013), </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff'd</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 762 F.3d 116 (D.C. Cir. 2014).</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Infeasibility can be eithe</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">r economic or technological.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">V.I.P. Structures, Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 16 BNA OSHC 1873, 1874 (No. 91-1167, 1994).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">With respect to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the first element</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, Respondent has not proved that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">literal<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">compliance with the cited standard was infeasible. Respondent asserts that it is difficult to climb a ladder</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with fall protection connected because it is difficult to adjust the rope grab and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">maintain the necessary three points of co</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ntact on the ladder</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. However, as pointed out by the CO, employees are no</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">t required to use fall protection<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">while climbing a ladder</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>unless traversing more than 23 feet</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref23" href="#ftn23">22</a></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 97</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 151</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Thus, Respondent’s argument is moot.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent also asserts<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">it</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is infeasible to</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hook<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the rope to the D-ring o</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">n the fall arrest harness and maintain three points of contact on the ladder</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">69-70,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">156-57</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">At the hearing,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis used<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">a single<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">component of a personal fall arrest<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">lanyard<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">system</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">—</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the rope,</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>one end of which</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>would</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">attach to an</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>anchorage point</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the roof</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and the other end<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">which<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">would<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">attach to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">D-ring on the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">back of a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall arrest harness</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">—as a demonstrative exhibit</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">A photograph of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">demonstrative exhibit was taken at the trial by Mr. Davis and submitted by Respondent into the record after the trial. Exhibit C is admitted is admitted as a photograph of the demonstrative exhibit without objection. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Tr. 72-</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">82</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 146-47</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Ex. C). </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Using only the rope,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis attempted to show that it<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">was very difficult to attach a</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>rope to the</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>D-</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ring on the back of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">harness. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 126-30). </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">did not wear<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">a</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fall arrest harness<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">during th</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">demonstration. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Further, the rope was not attached to anything. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">T</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he Court finds that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Davis did not demonstrate<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at trial<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">difficult</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">y of using<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">only one hand to hook<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">a</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>rope to the D-ring on the back of a fall arrest harness. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The Court finds Mr. Davis’</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">courtroom<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">demonstration<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">unpersuasive</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’s</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">claim of<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">infeasibility<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">also<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">undercut by the fact that</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">had<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">implement</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a fall arrest system at the<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">w</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">orksite.<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>(Tr. 42;<span><span></span>
					</span>Ex. 4;<span><span></span>
					</span>SF<span>
					</span>22-24).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The ropes used by Ontario for its fall arrest system were approximately 25 feet in length.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Each<span>
					</span>rope<span>
					</span>started at an anchorage point at the peak of the roof and reached past the eave of the roof.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 27, 30, 34; Ex. 2<span><span></span>
					</span>at “C”-“D”). Employees could engage their fall protection systems while either on a ladder or at the eave.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr.<span>
					</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">98, 112</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">13).</span><span><span></span>
					</span> Respondent’s claim that it was infeasible to have employees engage their personal fall protection system at the eave is also<span>
					</span>undermined by<span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>CO Schrilla observ</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employee</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, during his inspection,</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>walk down to the eave to disengage<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">his</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fall protection system and le</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ave</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>every component of the fall arrest system</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>except his personal harness</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at the eave in order to engage it once he returned<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">back up<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to the<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">roof</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr. 105-06).<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>C</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ompliance<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to the cited standard<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">not infeasible<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">where</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a change in operations as simple as storing ropes at the eave and requiring employees to engage their fall arrest systems there</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or on a ladder</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">would have protected employees at all times</span><span class="style_csspagelinerange1 style_csspagelinerange1 " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Courier New; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">CO Schrilla</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>also</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>credibly testified that</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>if<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">employees found<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">particular<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">fall</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>arrest system<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">configuration<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">used by Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to be<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">difficult</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">hook<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">onto</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">using one hand, there were other<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">styles of personal fall arrest systems available for<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">purchase and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">use.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">85-86).</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The Court finds</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Respondent did not show<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">it was technologically infeasible to comply with the standard.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">T</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">o<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">show</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>economic<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">infeasibility</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>an employer must present s</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">pecific evidence to show that an “employer's existence as a company would have been adversely affected” by the cost of compliance.</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1995533495&pubNum=0003227&originatingDoc=Ifb080455e58e11e39488c8f438320c70&refType=CA&fi=co_pp_sp_3227_1191&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Folder*cid.e4b9ee2395cd4fcaa8afd9b528ed62f2*oc.Search)#co_pp_sp_3227_1191"><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="font-style:italic; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Gregory & Cook, Inc</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">., 17 BNA OSHC 1189, 1191 (No. 92-1891</span></a><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 1995)</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(citations omitted)</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "> Respondent did not provide evidence that it would be adversely affected by purchasing a style of personal fall arrest equipment that would be easier for an employee to use. </span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Moreover, the fall arrest system provided by Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">was capable of providing fall protection to its employees at all times</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, including during ingress and egress at the worksite</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at the beginning and end of each workday</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "> (Tr. 27, 30, 34, 79-80, 83, 86, 105-06, 112-13; Sec’y Br. at 7). </span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The Court fi</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">nds that Respondent did not prove</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that it was infeasible to attach to a fall arrest system while standing at the top of the ladder prior to entering the roof.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">lso asserts it cannot inspect</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the fall arrest equipment anchor</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">age points<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that are installed at the roof’s</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>peak<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">from the ground or from the</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ladder</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> (Tr.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">68-</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">69</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 157-58</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">However, the CO st</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ated that an</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>anchorage point could<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">be</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>visually</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>inspected each day</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>while standing at the top of the ladder at the roof’s eave.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "> (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">68-</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">69). A</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">t Respondent’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">worksite,</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the CO</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">did a visual inspection of the anchorage points from the l</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">adder. He was able to see</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the anchorage points were<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">there</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the nails securing the anchorage points were in place</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">68-</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">69). Respondent did not<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">adequately<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">explain why<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">a</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>visual inspection</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from the ladder</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>w</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">as</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">in</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">sufficient</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or not feasible</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent has not proved that com</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">pliance with</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the cited<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">standard</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>technologically or economically<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">infeasible</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. Further,<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">with respect to the second element,<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent did not<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">present<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">evidence that</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>an al</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ternative protective measure had been</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>used or that</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>no</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>alternative</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>protective measure</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was available</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. The Court finds the<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">affirmative defense of </span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">infeasibility</span><span class="style_cohl style_cohl " style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; "> fails.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Secretary<span>
					</span>proved the elements of applicability, knowledge, and employee exposure. Further, the Secretary proved Respondent did not comply with the requirements of the standard.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Citation 1, Item 1 is affirmed. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">Characterization</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Citation 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, Item 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">wa</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">classified as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a serious violation</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Tr. 55; Ex. 3). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">U</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">nder section 17(k) of the Act</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a violation is serious</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>if “there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result.” Commission precedent requires a finding that “a serious injury is the likely result should an accident occur.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Pete Miller Inc.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">19 BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">1257,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">1258</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(No. 99-0947, 2000).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hazard in this case was</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a fall from a roof. </span>Roofing has been recognized as an inherently dangerous activity which can cause serious physical harm.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><br/></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Chris Welch</span>, 26 BNA OSHC 1846,<span>
					</span>1850<span><span></span>
					</span>(No. 16-0687, 2017)<span><span></span>
					</span>(ALJ) (citing<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><br/></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Daniel Crowe Roof Repair</span>, 23 BNA OSHC 2001, 2017<span><span></span>
					</span>(No. 10-2090, 2011)<span><span></span>
					</span>(ALJ)).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">As demonstrated by Mr.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s fall,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">serious injury</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>can result from a fall</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of 18 feet</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The Court finds the violation was serious in nature.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">Penalty</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Section 17(j) of the Act requires the Commission to give due consideration to four criteria in assessing penalties:<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>the size of the employer’s business, the gravity of the violation, the employer’s good faith, and its prior history of violations. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Compass Envtl., Inc.</span>,<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>23 BNA OSHC<span><span></span>
					</span>1132,<span>
					</span>1137<span><span></span>
					</span>(No. 06-1036, 2010)<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff’d,<span>
						</span></span>664 F.3d 1164 (10<span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; ">th</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Cir. 2011). The gravity of the<span>
					</span>violation is generally accorded greater weight. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">J. A. Jones<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Constr. Co.</span>, 15 BNA OSHC<span>
					</span>2201,<span>
					</span>2213-14<span><span></span>
					</span>(No. 87-2059, 1993). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The maximum statutory penalty for<span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>serious<span>
					</span>citation<span><span></span>
					</span>is $12,675.<span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref24" href="#ftn24">23</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">82 FR 5373 (Jan. 13, 2017). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">OSHA determined the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">hazard<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">was of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>h</span>igh severity due to<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>serious nature of injury and low probability due to the short<span>
					</span>duration of the exposure<span><span></span>
					</span>resulting in<span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>gravity-based<span><span></span>
					</span>penalty of $9,054. (Tr.<span>
					</span>55-56; Ex. 3). Then, because Respondent had twenty<span><span></span>
					</span>employees, a<span>
					</span>sixty percent reduction<span>
					</span>was applied resulting in the proposed penalty of $3,622.<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref25" href="#ftn25">24</a></span> (Tr.<span>
					</span>55-56; Ex. 3).<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The Commission</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and its judges conduct de novo penalty determinations.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Dana Container, Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 25</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>BNA OSHC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1776</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 1791</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">No. 09-1184</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 2015)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(citations omitted)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 847 F.3d 495 (7</span><span style="color:#000000; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; ">th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Cir. 2017).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“The Act places limits for penalty amounts but places no restrictions on the Commission's authority to raise or lower penalties within those limits.”</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Valdak Corp.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 17 BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1135, 1138 (No. 93-0239, 1995)</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff'd</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 73 F.3d 1466 (8th Cir. 1996).</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Based on the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">record as a whole, t</span>he<span><span></span>
					</span>Court finds an additional reduction to the<span>
					</span>proposed<span>
					</span>penalty<span>
					</span>is merited. Here, the Respondent provided<span><span></span>
					</span>fall protection equipment to<span>
					</span>its<span><span></span>
					</span>employees and required<span>
					</span>its<span><span></span>
					</span>employees to<span>
					</span>use it, except when traversing between the eave and the peak at the beginning and end of each workday. Employees<span>
					</span>actively<span>
					</span>used<span><span></span>
					</span>fall arrest equipment<span><span></span>
					</span>at this worksite; except for these two<span><span></span>
					</span>one-minute unprotected movements.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 58-59, 105-06). Ontario’s employees were adequately trained, and its fall protection equipment was in good working order. (Tr. 67, 134). The CO also testified that he found Ontario’s safety culture was generally strong. He said Ontario made a good effort to comply with OSHA standards. (Tr.<span>
					</span>88-89). Ontario also cooperated and was “up front” with OSHA’s investigation. (Tr. 60, 66). Based<span>
					</span>on Mr. Davis’s comments, the Court believes<span>
					</span>Ontario<span><span></span>
					</span>will<span>
					</span>no longer allow<span>
					</span>its<span>
					</span>employees to<span>
					</span>traverse between the eave and the peak without<span>
					</span>adequate<span>
					</span>all protection<span>
					</span>at the beginning and end of each workday<span>
					</span>and will purchase<span><span></span>
					</span>any necessary<span>
					</span>equipment<span><span></span>
					</span>for compliance.<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref26" href="#ftn26">25</a></span> (Tr.<span>
					</span>135-37). Accordingly,<span>
					</span>the Court<span><span></span>
					</span>reduces<span><span></span>
					</span>the penalty<span>
					</span>an additional fifty percent<span><span></span>
					</span>to $1,811.<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:2; ">            All findings of fact and conclusions of law relevant and necessary to a determination of the contested issues have been made above. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Fed. R. Civ. P. 52(a). All proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law inconsistent with this decision are denied.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">ORDER</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Citation 1, Item 1, alleging a serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(13)<span><span></span>
					</span>is<span><span></span>
					</span>AFFIRMED, and a penalty of<span>
					</span>$1,811<span><span></span>
					</span>is assessed.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; ">                                                            ___________________________</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; ">                                                                        The Honorable Dennis L. Phillips</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; ">                                                                          U.S. OSHRC<span>
					</span>Judge</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; ">Dated:<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Washington, D.C.</p>
			</div>
			<hr/>"
      <div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn-1" href="#ftnref-1"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn0" href="#ftnref0"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn2" href="#ftnref2"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">1 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>On January 3, 2018, Respondent was ordered to file its declaration listing its parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, or state that it has none by January 31, 2018. 29 C.F.R. § 2200.35(a). Respondent failed to comply with this court order. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn3" href="#ftnref3"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">2 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>Exhibits within this decision will be referenced<span>
					</span>by numbers<span><span></span>
					</span>for<span><span></span>
					</span>the Secretary’s exhibits and letters for <span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent’s exhibits. The stipulated facts will be referenced as<span>
					</span>Stipulated Fact (SF)<span><span></span>
					</span>___.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn4" href="#ftnref4"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">3 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>All references to May 3 mean May 3, 2017.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn5" href="#ftnref5"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">4 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>“<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Anchorage<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">means a secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards or decelerations devices.” 29 C.F.R § 1926.500(b).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "> The anchor points were located at about 8-10 points across the roof’s ridge. The D-rings are installed using plates that go to either side of the roof’s ridge that are fastened into the plywood sheathing or the rafters. (Tr. 22-23, 31).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn6" href="#ftnref6"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">5 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>“<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Personal fall arrest system<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">means a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level. It consists of an anchorage, connectors, a body belt or body harness and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or suitable combinations of these. As of January 1, 1998, the use of a body belt for fall arrest is prohibited.” 29 C.F.R § 1926.500(b).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn7" href="#ftnref7"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">6 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>“<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Lifeline</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>means a component consisting of a flexible line for connection to an anchorage at one end to hang vertically (vertical lifeline), or for connection to anchorages at both ends to stretch horizontally (horizontal lifeline), and which serves as a means for connecting other components of a personal fall arrest system to the anch</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">orage.” 29 C.F.R § 1926.500(b).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn8" href="#ftnref8"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">7 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">C</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">itation issued to Respondent was related to general fall protection practices used at the worksite and not Mr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>use of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fall protection in particular. (Tr. 94</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">, 111</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn9" href="#ftnref9"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">8 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>Foreman Zuhlke<span>
					</span>and Mr. Jenks<span>
					</span>told CO Schrilla that Ontario’s employees were going from the top of the ladder to the peak<span><span></span>
					</span>without being hooked up to anything at the start of each morning’s work. (Tr. 102-06). Mr.<span>
					</span>[redacted]<span><span></span>
					</span>also told the CO that he had moved from the top of the ladder to the roof’s peak without being properly tied off. (Tr. 110-11).<span><span></span>
					</span>The CO later verified that this was Ontario’s standard practice with Mr. Davis. (Tr. 106-08). CO Schrilla testified that all six employees, including<span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">Messrs. Zuhlke</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">, Jenks, Griffin, Smith,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">Wisecup, and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">[redacted]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">, were exposed to the same hazard. (Tr. 114). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn10" href="#ftnref10"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">9 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>“<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Lanyard</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>means a flexible line of rope, wire rope, or strap which generally has a connector at each end for connecting the body belt or body harness to a deceleration device, lifeline, or anchorage.” 29 C.F.R § 1926.500(b).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn11" href="#ftnref11"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">10 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>“<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Rope grab</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>means a deceleration device which travels on a lifeline and automatically, by friction, engages the lifeline and locks so as to arrest the fall of an employee. A rope grab usually employs the principle of inertial locking, cam/level locking, or both.” 29 C.F.R § 1926.500(b).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "> A rope grab at the worksite is shown</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from a distance</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at Exhibit 2, at “E”. (Tr. 45; Ex. 2 at “E”).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "> The Court notes that there are<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">no<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">letters marked “A” or “B”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">shown on</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Exhibit 2.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "> A<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">close up of a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">rope grab is also shown at Exhibit C at “3”. (Tr. 76</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">-78</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">; Ex. C at “3”).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn12" href="#ftnref12"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">11 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>Foreman Zuhlke told CO Schrilla on May 3 that Ontario’s employees left their ropes at the peak of the roof at the end of the day. (Tr. 104). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn13" href="#ftnref13"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">12 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">CO Schrilla</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>testified</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">that while climbing the ladder an employee was not required by Ontario to use fall protection. (Tr. 97). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn14" href="#ftnref14"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">13 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>CO Schrilla testified that an employee could lose his footing in “[m]ere seconds. Less than a second.” (Tr. 49). Mr. Davis admitted that an employee could lose his or her footing in a second or so on a roof, fall, and get seriously injured. (Tr. 27). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn15" href="#ftnref15"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">14 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>A roof bracket “is a structure that is placed on the roof to assist the roofers with performing their work.” A roof bracket is shown at Exhibit 2 at “G”. (Tr. 48-49). CO Schrilla testified that a “slide guard” was shown at Exhibit<span>
					</span>1, at “D”. There were<span>
					</span>also two<span><span></span>
					</span>horizontal<span><span></span>
					</span>roof<span>
					</span>brackets<span>
					</span>in-place along the slope of the upper roof between<span><span></span>
					</span>the peak<span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>eave<span><span></span>
					</span>at the time of the OSHA inspection. (Tr. 49-52;<span>
					</span>Ex. 1 at C-E).<span>
					</span> CO Schrilla testified that the<span><span></span>
					</span>one slide guard and<span><span></span>
					</span>two<span><span></span>
					</span>roof brackets shown in the photograph at Exhibit 1<span>
					</span>at “C”–“E” did not constitute fall protection. He said<span>
					</span>that since about 2012<span>
					</span>roof brackets<span><span></span>
					</span>did not comply with the fall protection standard,<span>
					</span>were never allowed on a roof pitch over 8 and 12,<span>
					</span>did not arrest a fall, and did “not prevent the employees from coming off of the roof.” (Tr. 51-52; Sec’y Br. at 21-23). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn16" href="#ftnref16"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">15 </span></a><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The scope and application provision of Subpart M, Fall Protection, states:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; "><span style="font-size:10pt; color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">(1)</span><span style="font-size:10pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "> This subpart sets forth requirements and criteria for fall protection in construction workplaces covered under 29 CFR part 1926. Exception: The provisions of this subpart do not apply when employees are making an inspection, investigation, or assessment of workplace conditions prior to the actual start of construction work or after all construction work has been completed. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(a)(1). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:19.2px; "><span style="font-size:10pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">Subpart M is found at 29 C.F.R. §§ 1926.500-503.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn17" href="#ftnref17"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">16 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent asserts that,<span><span></span>
					</span>at<span>
					</span>SF<span><span></span>
					</span>22, the Secretary has agreed that employees were not at work when moving across the roof prior to being tied off. (Tr. 159). However, Respondent misconstrues the nature of<span>
					</span>SF 22 which simply sets forth the agreed-to fact that while moving from eave to peak employees did not wear fall protection and they did not engage in roofing activities prior to being tied off at the peak. The stipulation is not a legal conclusion as to whether employees were required to wear fall protection while crossing to<span><span></span>
					</span>and from<span><span></span>
					</span>the roof’s peak<span><span></span>
					</span>at the beginning and end of each workday. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn18" href="#ftnref18"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">17 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>The employees were<span>
					</span>Messrs.<span><span></span>
					</span>Zuhlke,<span><span></span>
					</span>Jenks, Griffin, Smith,<span>
					</span>Wisecup, and<span>
					</span>[redacted]. (Ex. 3 at 2-3).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn19" href="#ftnref19"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">18 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>Even if the assigned workplace was limited to the roof’s peak, the path to the peak<span>
					</span>was the ingress-egress area to the roof’s peak<span>
					</span>where employees were<span>
					</span>also<span>
					</span>exposed to the hazard.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:-48px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn20" href="#ftnref20"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">19 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">See Elite Builders, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">, 26 BNA OSHC 2038 (No. 15-1645, 2017) (</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">c</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">onsolidated) (ALJ), where, as here,<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">“Bratetic [owner] told [the CO] that he was fully aware of the fact that his employees were working on the roof without fall protection and provided reasons as to why”, an</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">d an</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Administrative Law Judge concluded that the Respondent, “through its principal, had actual knowledge of the violative conditions.” </span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at 2045. A foreman’s actual knowledge can also be imputed to the employer.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "><br/></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Wayne J. Griffin Elec., Inc.</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">, 26 BNA OSHC 1786, 1796 (No. 15-0858, 2017)</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(ALJ) (citing</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "><br/></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; "></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">N & N Contractors, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">, 18 BNA OSHC 2121, 2123 (No. 96-0606, 2000)</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">255 F.3d 122 (4th Cir. 2001)</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn21" href="#ftnref21"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">20 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>“Infeasible means that it is impossible to perform the construction work using a conventional fall protection system (i.e., guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system) or that it is technologically impossible to use any one of these systems to provide fall protection.” 29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(b).<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn22" href="#ftnref22"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">21 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>The standard states:</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; ">(k) Fall protection plan. This option is available only to employees engaged in leading edge work, precast concrete erection work, or residential construction work (See § 1926.501(b)(2), (b)(12), and (b)(13)) who can demonstrate that it is infeasible or it creates a greater hazard to use conventional fall protection equipment. The fall protection plan must conform to the following provisions.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; ">(1) The fall protection plan shall be prepared by a qualified person and developed specifically for the site where the leading edge work, precast concrete work, or residential construction work is being performed and the plan must be maintained up to date.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">(2) Any changes to the fall protection plan shall be approved by a qualified person.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">(3) A copy of the fall protection plan with all approved changes shall be maintained at the job site.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">(4) The implementation of the fall protection plan shall be under the supervision of a competent person.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; ">(5) The fall protection plan shall document the reasons why the use of conventional fall protection systems (guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety nets systems) are infeasible or why their use would create a greater hazard.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; ">(6) The fall protection plan shall include a written discussion of other measures that will be taken to reduce or eliminate the fall hazard for workers who cannot be provided with protection from the conventional fall protection systems. For example, the employer shall discuss the extent to which scaffolds, ladders, or vehicle mounted work platforms can be used to provide a safer working surface and thereby reduce the hazard of falling.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; ">(7) The fall protection plan shall identify each location where conventional fall protection methods cannot be used. These locations shall then be classified as controlled access zones and the employer must comply with the criteria in paragraph (g) of this section.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; ">(8) Where no other alternative measure has been implemented, the employer shall implement a safety monitoring system in conformance with § 1926.502(h).</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; ">(9) The fall protection plan must include a statement which provides the name or other method of identification for each employee who is designated to work in controlled access zones. No other employees may enter controlled access zones.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; ">(10) In the event an employee falls, or some other related, serious incident occurs, (e.g., a near miss) the employer shall investigate the circumstances of the fall or other incident to determine if the fall protection plan needs to be changed (e.g. new practices, procedures, or training) and shall implement those changes to prevent similar types of falls or incidents. <span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.502(k).</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn23" href="#ftnref23"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">22 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent asserted it was too difficult to be tied off while climbing the ladder; however, CO Schrilla<span><span></span>
					</span>explained OSHA does not require fall protection while climbing the ladder to reach the roof. Further, the Secretary did not allege that employees are required to use fall protection on the ladder. Thus, Respondent’s assertions related to fall protection while climbing the ladder from the ground to the roof are moot.<span>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn24" href="#ftnref24"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">23 </span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>OSHA’s statutory maximum penalties were increased pursuant to the Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015, Pub. Law 114-74 § 701, 129 Stat. 559-602 (2015). The violation in the instant case was assessed on June 21, 2017, thus a statutory maximum of $12,675 applies. 82 F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">R</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>5373</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">, 5382</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Jan. 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">8</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">, 2017). </span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn25" href="#ftnref25"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">24 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>No penalty reduction was given for history, good faith, or quick fix. (Tr. 56-57, 87; Ex. 3 at 1). </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
					<a name="ftn26" href="#ftnref26"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">25 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>During the redirect examination of Mr. Davis, he testified: “I have actually talked with Mr. Schrilla at the break and he said that there are systems that would be better suited and the same cost. And I said to him after this court appearance we can talk and look at that because I, by all means, am interested in what an OSHA compliance officer has to say as far as an opinion for a successful system.” (Tr. 135-36).<span>
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