A roofing contractor died after falling from a residential rooftop in central Massachusetts, adding to ongoing concerns about fall-related fatalities in the construction industry.
Authorities said Antonio Holger, 43, of Fall River, suffered fatal injuries after falling several feet while working on a home in Southborough, a community located between Boston and Worcester.
Police and firefighters responded to the residential neighborhood shortly before 4 p.m. on April 29 after receiving reports of a worker injured in a roof fall. First responders found Holger with severe injuries consistent with a construction-related fall, according to local authorities.
Paramedics treated him at the scene before transporting him by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
The incident remains under investigation by the Southborough Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office is also assisting with the investigation.
The fatal incident occurred as the construction industry marked the 13th consecutive year of OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, an annual campaign focused on increasing awareness of fall hazards and reinforcing jobsite safety practices.
According to federal safety data, falls remain one of the leading causes of death among construction workers nationwide. In 2024, falls accounted for 389 of the 1,034 construction fatalities reported across the United States.
Roofing contractors continue to face elevated risks because of the nature of the work, particularly on residential projects where workers may encounter steep slopes, changing weather conditions and limited fall-protection systems.
The incident in Massachusetts is at least the second widely reported roofing worker fatality linked to a fall this year.
Earlier in 2026, Johnny Fabbo Rosario, 38, died after falling through a roof panel while working atop an industrial facility near Mobile.
Construction safety advocates and federal regulators continue emphasizing the importance of fall-protection equipment, worker training and hazard recognition on roofing and elevated work sites.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s annual stand-down campaign encourages contractors to pause work activities and discuss safety procedures with employees, particularly around ladder safety, harness use and roof-edge protection.
Residential roofing contractors remain among the most frequently cited employers for fall protection violations, according to OSHA enforcement data. Safety experts note that proper guardrails, personal fall arrest systems and worker education are critical to reducing fatalities.
Investigators have not yet released additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding Holger’s fall, including whether fall-protection equipment was being used at the time of the incident.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
Originally reported by Art Aisner, Editor-in-Chief in Roofing Contractor.
