Salvation Army in Central Florida Cited for Workplace Safety Violations After Fatal Accident
On May 30th, 2025, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced enforcement action against a Central Florida branch of the Salvation Army. OSHA cited the employer for serious workplace safety violations that contributed to an employee’s fatal fall accident. In this article, you will find an overview of the enforcement action taken by an OSHA and the importance of proper fall protection in the workplace.
Workplace Safety Sanctions After Deadly Fall Accident
The Salvation Army has been cited by OSHA after a deadly workplace fall accident in Orlando. Sadly, a maintenance worker for the Salvation Army died after falling off of a roof during repair work in November of 2024. After an investigation into the incident, OSHA determined that there were multiple workplace safety failures. Notably, the Salvation Army has already faced repeat workplace safety citations for fall hazards. For this incident, the organization was issued five serious and two other-than-serious violations, including for inadequate training and failure to report the fatality. OSHA issued the employer a $120,817 fine for the safety lapses.
Falls Remain a Leading Cause of Workplace Deaths
Workplace safety should always be a top priority. Businesses should not put profits before workers’ safety. A significant share of major work-related accidents are avoidable with the proper safety precautions. Notably, falls are among the most common causes of serious work-related injuries and fatalities. According to OSHA, hundreds of workers die each year from falls, particularly in construction, maintenance, and warehousing. The recent death of a Salvation Army employee in Orlando is just one example. It is a relatively common case given the fact that the fall accident could have likely been prevented had fall protection safety regulations been followed by the employer.
Employers Must Assess Risks and Train Staff
OSHA requires that employers evaluate job sites for fall hazards and implement controls to mitigate them. Among other things, this includes providing proper training, using guardrails, safety nets, and/or using personal fall arrest systems. It always depends on the nature of the work. In the case of The Salvation Army, citations were issued for failing to assess hazards and provide training—and these are failures that OSHA believes contributed to a fatal accident.
Reporting and Communication Are Also Safety Essentials
Beyond physical protection, compliance also involves timely reporting. OSHA mandates that fatalities be reported within eight hours. A failure to report can lead to additional citations and, more importantly, delays in investigations that could help prevent future incidents. A culture of safety must include open lines of communication. Workers cannot face any adverse action (retaliation) for reporting a suspected workplace safety violation.
Consult With a Top Florida Employment Attorney Today
Workplace safety matters. Employees have a right to a fair, safe workplace. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that they are complying with all applicable state and federal workplace safety standards. If you have any questions about your rights or your responsibilities, please do not hesitate to contact an experienced Florida employment lawyer for help.
