US Department of Labor investigation finds Chicago construction employer exposed workers to continued safety hazards, proposes $265K in penalties

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US Department of Labor investigation finds Chicago construction employer exposed workers to continued safety hazards, proposes $265K in penalties CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Calumet City-based residential construction and carpentry employer after two separate investigations into its continued failure to provide fall protection for workers. The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated two worksites operated by Martin Araujo – doing business as Araujo Construction Corp. – and found that carpenters and general construction laborers were installing roof rafters and roof sheeting without fall protection, exposing them to falls of up to 25 feet. OSHA cited Araujo Construction with two willful violations for not providing fall protection, while working from heights during residential construction at the two worksites. OSHA also cited the employer with nine repeat safety violations for failing to provide head and eye protection, l...
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US Department of Labor again cites Jacksonville residential roofing contractor for exposing workers to fall hazards, proposes $72K in penalties

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US Department of Labor again cites Jacksonville residential roofing contractor for exposing workers to fall hazards, proposes $72K in penalties
Employer:       Brayden Roofing Specialists LLC4728 Brierwood RoadJacksonville, FL 32257Investigation Findings: On Aug. 9, 2023, a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation found that Brayden Roofing willfully exposed employees to fall hazards by allowing them to work on 10-foot high roofs without fall protection at a Jacksonville worksite. The agency also cited the company with a serious violation for not making sure ladder rails extended above the roof’s upper landing surface. Proposed penalties:   $72,683 Background: In three previous investigations in 2022 and 2023, OSHA cited Brayden Roofing Specialists for similar failures. In May 2022, inspectors identified three serious violations related to lack of head protection, eye and face protection and fall protection at a Jacksonville worksite. In December 2022, OSHA cited the company with two repeat violations for lack of eye and face protection and fall protection at a Jacksonville worksite. In January 2023, the company received a citation for one repeat violation after inspectors found the employer did not make sure workers used fall protection at a Palm Coast worksite. Falls from elevation continue to be the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Of 1,008 industry workers’ deaths in 2020, 351 were related to falls to lower levels. OSHA offers a number of resources such as posters, fact sheets, training materials and social media graphics online at its Fall Prevention Campaign page. Employers can also contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards. Quote: “In less than two years, four workplace safety investigations found violations related to inadequate or non-existent fall protection, Brayden Roofing Specialists has shown a clear pattern of willfully disregard for their employees’ safety, health and well-being,” explained OSHA Area Office Director Scott Tisdale in Jacksonville, Florida. “Serious injuries and potential deaths are avoidable when employers commit to following required safety measures, such as providing fall protection to employees and training them to recognize and avoid hazards.” 

Published at October 30, 2023 at 05:00PM
Read more at https://dol.gov

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