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

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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
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Federal safety inspectors find Illinois contractor with long history of violations again exposing employees to dangerous workplace hazards

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Federal safety inspectors find Illinois contractor with long history of violations again exposing employees to dangerous workplace hazards
ORLAND PARK, IL – For the seventh time since 2015, federal workplace safety inspectors have cited an Oswego contractor who refuses to protect carpenters working at elevations, as required by federal law. Inspectors with the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration observed six carpenters employed by United Custom Homes LLC framing new townhomes in Orland Park on April 12, 2023, at heights up to 21 feet without fall protection, and opened an investigation. OSHA learned that, in addition to not providing fall protection equipment, the contractor failed to train workers on the use of fall protection and forklift operations and did not provide workers with eye protection. After the Orland Park inspection, the company received OSHA citations for one willful violation, one repeat violation and two serious violations with proposed penalties of $151,260. The findings in this inspection are similar to fall protection violations OSHA identified at six other United Custom Homes’ worksites in the Chicago area since 2015. Currently, the company owes more than $81,000 in unpaid OSHA penalties. “United Custom Homes continued defiance toward federal safety regulations is putting their employees at risk of serious and sometimes fatal fall injuries,” said OSHA Chicago South Area Director James Martineck in Tinley Park, Illinois. “Falls are a leading cause of death in the construction industry. By failing to comply with the law yet again, United Custom Homes’ employees face real dangers that federal safety standards can prevent.” United Custom Homes LLC provides residential and commercial carpentry, remodeling and general contractor services. The Oswego company is owned by Juan Guerrero. OSHA’s stop falls website offers safety information and video presentations in English and Spanish to teach workers about fall hazards and proper safety procedures. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Learn more about OSHA.

Published at June 07, 2023 at 05:00PM
Read more at https://dol.gov

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