The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited roofing contractor Sherriff-Goslin Co. for two safety violations.

The Mansfield-based company is accused of one willful violation and one repeat safety violation for failing to provide fall protection for employees working on a residential roofing project in Sandusky.

The owners of Sherriff-Goslin could incur penalties totaling $86,500.

"At this time, we are investigating the allegations made by OSHA, and we intend to contest the citations as issued," said Ben Weiss, manager for the company.

The roofing company was issued the repeat citation with a proposed penalty of $16,500, for failing to ensure that workers exposed to overhead hazards were wearing proper head protection. OSHA officials said Sherriff-Goslin previously was cited for lack of head protection in June 2009, as well as for a lack of fall protection at job sites in June 2009, and July, August and September 2010.

"Sherriff-Goslin Co. has a history of failing to follow standards to protect workers from fall hazards," said Jule Hovi, OSHA's area director in Toledo.

The company can request an informal conference or contest the findings.

"Sherriff-Goslin is a company committed to safety and the health and welfare of our employees," Weiss said. "We have work rules addressing safety, we provide training to our employees concerning those safety rules, and we self-inspect our job sites to ensure our employees understand the safety rules which are the subject of their training."

OSHA investigated Nov. 9 under its residential construction and fall protection emphasis program. The willful citation, with a proposed penalty of $70,000, is for allegedly failing to provide fall protection on a steep-sloped roof where workers were exposed to a 27-foot fall hazard.