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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Department of Labor cites Long Branch contractor for 32 violations in 4-month span for willfully exposing employees to deadly fall hazards

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Department of Labor cites Long Branch contractor for 32 violations in 4-month span for willfully exposing employees to deadly fall hazards
LONG BRANCH, NJ – A Long Branch construction contractor with a history of ignoring federal fall safety standards has again been found exposing employees to potentially deadly fall hazards in eight work site inspections from November 2023 to March 2024.The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened the eight inspections of Road Contractor Corp. in Evesham, Freehold, Manalapan, Marlton, Mullica Hill and Rumson as part of OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Falls. In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 395 fatal workplace falls, the leading cause of death in the construction industry. “Since July 2023, we have found in 24 inspections that Road Contractor Corp. exposed its employees routinely to dangerous falls and other safety hazards common in residential construction,” said OSHA Area Director Paula Dixon-Roderick in Marlton, New Jersey. “OSHA will use its legal authority to hold accountable employers like Road Contractor Corp. that callously disregard the safety of their employees and potentially jeopardize their lives.”In the eight inspections, OSHA investigators identified 32 safety violations with $819,417 in proposed penalties. In each, the agency found the company failed to provide workers with required fall safety protection. In addition, investigators cited the company for the following:Allowing employees to use portable ladders unsafely.Exposing employees to silica hazards and failing to train workers to recognize them.Allowing the operation of machines without required guards.Failing to have hazardous communication or written exposure control programs.Not providing employees with eye and face protection.OSHA conducted the eight inspections as follows:Inspection dateInspection siteCited violationsProposed penaltyNov. 16, 2023131 Wisteria Court, Freehold 1 willful, 1 serious$78,080Nov. 16, 202370 Magnolia Drive, Freehold1 willful, 1 repeat, 4 serious$107,488Dec. 14, 202321 Charlotte St., Marlton1 willful, 3 repeat, 4 serious$133,575Jan. 30, 202412 Ashlynn Court, Manalapan1 repeat, 1 serious$21,293Feb. 6, 20241001 Tuckerton Road, Evesham2 willful, 3 repeat, 2 serious$183,261Feb. 29, 202429 Ward Ave., Rumson1 willful$70,982March 8, 202437 Vinegold Drive, Mullica Hill2 willful, 1 serious$134,864March 19, 20244 Tori Lane, Manalapan1 willful, 1 repeat, 1 serious$89,604Registered in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Road Contractor Corp. provides wood framing and sheathing services for residential construction projects. 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.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 agency also offers compliance assistance resources on Protecting Roofing Workers and recommendations for developing a safety and health program.

Published at June 05, 2024 at 05:00AM
Read more at https://dol.gov

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