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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READOUT: Acting Secretary Su announces action to support efficient construction projects while creating good-paying jobs

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READOUT: Acting Secretary Su announces action to support efficient construction projects while creating good-paying jobs
WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su joined General Services Administrator Robin Carnahan, Office of Management and Budget Deputy Director for Management Jason Miller, Rep. Shontel Brown, and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb in Cleveland on Dec. 18, 2023, to announce a final rule implementing President’s Biden’s Executive Order 14063 requiring Project Labor Agreements for most large-scale federal construction projects.   The rule will help ensure that large federal construction projects are completed efficiently and on time, while also supporting good, high-quality jobs. The rule will empower workers as the President’s agenda rebuilds America’s infrastructure. The delegation made the announcement at the Celebrezze Federal Building. Currently, the GSA is working to modernize the building to better serve the needs of veterans, students, retirees and other communities seeking federal supports. Contractors and unions have entered into a PLA for the project that creates equitable workforce development pathways into the trades and Registered Apprenticeships. “The Biden-Harris administration is here to announce a final rule that requires – with just a few limited exceptions – Project Labor Agreements on federal contracts valued at or above $35 million,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “First and foremost, this new rule is good for the government’s bottom line.”  “Today is the start of something big,” Su continued. “We’re proving that what makes good sense for government is also good for workers. It’s good for businesses. It’s good for our country. Thank you all for being a part of it.”  Learn more about the President’s Executive Order requiring Project Labor Agreements.  

Published at December 20, 2023 at 04:00AM
Read more at https://dol.gov

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