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

US Department of Labor recovers $46K in back wages for Indiana construction workers on federal projects

US Department of Labor recovers $46K in back wages for Indiana construction workers on federal projects
Employer:  Force Construction Company Inc., Columbus, Indiana Investigation findings:  U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigators recovered $46,125 in back wages for 35 employees after evaluating the company’s pay practices on 10 government contracts. Investigators determined the construction company violated the Davis Bacon and Related Acts and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act by: Exceeding the number of apprentices permitted under their respective apprenticeship programs in ratio to journeymen. Failing to pay the applicable basic hourly rate to all laborers and mechanics on the job site. This resulted in overtime being calculated and paid at the wrong rate. Some workers were paid a percentage of the required rate when they should have been paid the full hourly rate. Back Wages Recovered: $46,125 in overtime back wages for 35 employees.                                                Quote: “As more companies negotiate contracts for projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, they must fully understand the specific wage rules that govern government contracts,” explained Acting Wage and Hour Division District Director Fernando Hernandez in Indianapolis. Background: Learn more about Protections for Workers in Construction under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division and how to file an online complaint. For confidential compliance assistance, employees and employers can call the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243), regardless of where they are from. Download the agency’s new Timesheet App for iOS and Android devices – also available in Spanish –to ensure hours and pay are accurate.

Published at March 21, 2023 at 05:00PM
Read more at https://dol.gov

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

US Department of Labor, MEJA Construction Inc. to promote safety during construction of Clayton County’s Forest Park Middle School

US Department of Labor kicks off 9th annual National Apprenticeship Week

Minnesota construction contractor faces $1.8M in federal penalties for exposing workers to trenching hazards for the 4th time since 2019