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

Department of Labor, Balfour Beatty Construction align to promote safety, health during construction of AC Marriott Savannah River District project

Department of Labor, Balfour Beatty Construction align to promote safety, health during construction of AC Marriott Savannah River District project
SAVANNAH, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has signed a strategic partnership with Balfour Beatty Construction to promote worker safety and health during construction of the AC Marriott Hotel project in the Savannah River District. The partnership with the Dallas-based commercial construction company seeks to prevent worker injuries and exposure to hazards by developing a contractor-government approach to safety and health. The initiative will also assist contractors in developing and implementing safety and health management systems and providing training to employees, employers and supervisors. The Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute’s Safety, Health and Environmental Program is supporting the partnership effort. “This public-private sector partnership will focus training on recognizing and eliminating hazards present during major construction projects, a proven method for improving workplace safety and health on site,” said OSHA Area Office Director Jerred Stevens in Savannah, Georgia. “Balfour Beatty Construction’s commitment to workplace safety will help ensure every worker on the project ends their shift safely.” Participants will focus on identifying and preventing common hazards on large-scale construction projects, such as falls and being struck by or caught in materials or equipment. Other important issues include fire safety, preventing heat illness, unsafe silica and noise exposure, and safety when using electrical equipment. The AC Marriott project consists of a nine-story boutique hotel and five-story precast parking deck to be built on the site of the former headquarters of the Savannah Electric Power Co. OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program works with employers, employees, professional and trade associations, labor organizations and other interested stakeholders to establish specific goals, strategies and performance measures to improve worker safety and health. Learn more about OSHA.

Published at December 20, 2022 at 04:00PM
Read more at https://dol.gov

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