Department of Labor alleges subcontractor knowingly exposed employees to asbestos hazards during former Waukegan hospital demolition

Department of Labor alleges subcontractor knowingly exposed employees to asbestos hazards during former Waukegan hospital demolition WAUKEGAN, IL – Alleging that K.L.F. Enterprises — a Chicago demolition subcontractor — knew it was exposing its employees and others to the serious dangers of asbestos at a Waukegan work site, the U.S. Department of Labor has cited the company for 36 safety and health violations after a federal investigation. In November 2023, investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened a complaint inspection after they observed K.L.F. employees not wearing protective equipment amid piles of debris and steel I-beams during structural demolition of the eight-story former Lakes Behavioral Health hospital. OSHA determined that K.L.F. continued demolition activities — disturbing and removing asbestos used to fireproof the building’s interior — despite recognizing the debris piles outside were likely asbestos-laden. The company did

Georgia blasting, demolition contractor pays more than $5K penalty after allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work near dynamite

Georgia blasting, demolition contractor pays more than $5K penalty after allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work near dynamite
Employer:                                          Controlled Blasting Inc.                                                             1159 Finch Road                                                             Winder, GA 30680 Investigation findings: U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigators found Controlled Blasting Inc. – a blasting, demolition and construction contractor in Winder – allowed three 16- and 17-year-old employees to work in an area where explosives were stored and transported. The employer also directed these workers to drill and cover holes where dynamite was placed for demolition activities in and around Lawrenceville. The hazardous orders of federal child labor law prohibit these actions. Civil Money Penalties Assessed:     $5,592 to address the child labor violations.                                  Quote: “Employers struggling to fill open positions have increased the numbers of teens in jobs not traditionally occupied by young workers. Businesses who employ minor-aged workers must educate themselves on keeping these workers safe, especially those around hazardous conditions,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Steven Salazar in Atlanta. “We encourage employers to access our Youthrules.gov website or contact the Wage and Hour Division to learn how to keep these young workers safe on the job.” Background: Employers can contact the Wage and Hour Division at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE. Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including information about protections for young workers on the department’s YouthRules! website. Workers can call the Wage and Hour Division confidentially with questions – regardless of their immigration status – and the department can speak with callers in more than 200 languages.

Published at June 27, 2022 at 05:00PM
Read more at https://dol.gov

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