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

Federal safety inspections find Kansas construction contractor again failing to protect workers from potentially deadly fall hazards at Missouri homesites

Federal safety inspections find Kansas construction contractor again failing to protect workers from potentially deadly fall hazards at Missouri homesites
WELLSVILLE, KS – Federal workplace safety inspectors found a Kansas roofing contractor again putting its employees at risk of falls from elevation — the construction industry’s deadliest hazard — by not providing required protective equipment at two residential worksites in October 2023. U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance officers opened inspections after observing three employees of Triple A Built LLC in Peculiar and Blue Springs, Missouri, doing framing work without required fall and eye protection. The agency initiated the inspections under its National Emphasis Program for Falls and Regional Emphasis Program on Falls, Scaffolds and Electrocutions from Overhead Power Lines in Construction.OSHA inspectors cited the Wellsville company for six instance-by-instance repeat violations for lack of fall protection and two repeat violations for not providing workers using powered nail guns with eye and face protection. The agency has proposed $233,210 in penalties. Triple A Built received citations for similar violations in 2021. “OSHA repeatedly finds residential construction contractors like Triple A Built ignoring federal regulations designed to protect workers from debilitating or deadly fall hazards,” explained OSHA Acting Area Director Gladys Keino in Kansas City, Missouri. “Fall hazard exposures make jobs in the construction industry among the nation’s most dangerous. Use of proper safety equipment and training can prevent needless injuries or worse.” In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 1,069 construction workers died on the job. Of those deaths, 395 were related to falls from elevation. As part of a continuing effort to prevent industry fatalities, OSHA, industry and safety groups, and other worker advocates are encouraging construction employers and workers to join the 11th annual National Safety Stand-Down for Falls in Construction, May 6-10. Partnering with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Occupational Research Agenda, Center for Construction Research and Training, American Society of Safety Professionals, National Safety Council, the National Construction Safety Executives, OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, state consultation programs and OSHA-approved state plans, the agency invites employers and workers to learn how to conduct a safety stand-down and view a video on fall safety that includes a message from a former construction worker and fall survivor. 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 April 12, 2024 at 05:00AM
Read more at https://dol.gov

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