A Florida-based roofing contractor, who has been known to expose his workers to serious and potential fatal risks fails to comply with court orders once again.

The owner, Travis Slaughter, has failed to pay over $2 million in penalties assessed by OSHA for more than 48 safety and health violations, dating back nearly a decade.

In 2020, the Court of Appeals held Slaughter and his companies in civil contempt and ordered to pay the $2 million in fines plus interest and fees. The court also required them to certify that they had corrected their violations. Slaughter continued to refuse to pay. In Fall 2021, the department asked the court to have him incarcerated for continued contempt, and order him to pay fees and costs.

“The U.S. Department of Labor’s enforcement action and the litigation that followed shows we will use every resource available to hold Travis Slaughter and his companies, Great White Construction Inc. and Florida Roofing Experts, accountable for continually putting workers at risk of serious injury or worse.”

Regional Solicitor of Labor, Tremelle Howard – Atlanta, GA.

The court’s recommendation is the best remedy to address the companies’ longstanding refusal to protect workers and pay the associated penalties, and is the result of lengthy litigation by the department’s Office of the Solicitor before OSHRC and confirmation the employer continues violating OSHA’s safety requirements.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.