OSHA proposes fines after roofer death in Missoula

MISSOULA — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing a $14,000 fine for a Missoula roofing company for failing to use equipment that could have prevented an employee from falling to his death.

OSHA area director Jeff Funke of Billings says the proposed fine takes into account that Jared Langley Roofing was cited for a lack of fall protection at another worksite in January 2013.

OSHA investigated after 51-year-old George Fifield of Bonner fell 9 feet while working on a Langley crew that was removing shingles from a roof in Florence on April 9. He died the next day at a Missoula hospital.

Langley has until mid-July to contest the June 23 citation and penalty. He did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment on Thursday.