US Department of Labor highlights safe construction practices during 2026 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls

US Department of Labor highlights safe construction practices during 2026 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging construction employers and workers nationwide to participate in the 13th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, taking place May 4-8, 2026.The nationwide event focuses on preventing falls, the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry, and reinforces the importance of planning, training, and hazard awareness to protect workers.Because falls continue to pose a significant risk in construction, OSHA is making prevention a top priority. Through efforts like the Safety Stand-Down, the agency is working to drive real change and emphasizing that lasting progress is achieved through employers, workers, and industry partners working together.OSHA encourages employers to pause work throughout the week and engage employees ...

Crystal Lake contractor faces $287K in fines after exposing framing workers in Elburn to potentially deadly fall risks 3 times in less than a month

Crystal Lake contractor faces $287K in fines after exposing framing workers in Elburn to potentially deadly fall risks 3 times in less than a month
CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – Federal inspectors have cited 595 Construction LLC - a Crystal Lake contractor with a history of exposing employees to fall hazards - for eight safety violations after finding employees framing a residential structure without required protections three times at three residential worksites in the same neighborhood in May 2024. Falls from elevation are the leading cause of fatal and serious injuries in the construction industry, and among the safety violations most cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA inspectors first observed 595 Construction employees at work without legally required equipment on a residential structure in an Elburn neighborhood. On May 10, they witnessed similar violations at 1501 Collins Drive and across the street at 264 Davidson Drive. Three weeks later, on May 31, OSHA again found employees exposed to fall hazards at a nearby worksite at 207 Davidson Drive.The agency cited the company for allowing employees to work without protection at heights greater than six feet and for failing to certify they trained workers to recognize hazards or prevent falls. Inspectors also found 595 Construction permitted the unsafe use of ladders, did not ensure workers had certification needed to operate powered industrial vehicles, and used damaged slings to hoist materials.In all, 595 Construction received one willful violation and four repeat and three serious violations for which the company faces $287,465 in proposed penalties. These are the latest infractions for a company cited for similar citations for serious and repeat safety failures in 2022 and 2023. “After OSHA opens an investigation at one worksite, we often find the same contractor has done nothing to correct similar hazards at its other sites and not bothered to make certain to train work crews on complying with federal safety protections,” explained OSHA Area Director Jacob Scott in Naperville, Illinois. “For several years, 595 Construction has shown a chronic disregard for safe work operations and a willingness to put its employees lives and well-being at risk.”In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 1,069 construction workers died on the job, with 395 of those deaths resulting from falls from elevation. “Falls are the leading cause of injuries and deaths for construction workers. There is no excuse for 595 Construction failing to take immediate corrective action,” Scott added.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.Learn more about OSHA. 

Published at November 06, 2024 at 04:00AM
Read more at https://dol.gov

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Settlement affirms willful OSHA violations, $215K penalties, against contractors for fall hazards at multiple New Jersey work sites

St. Louis contractor faces $258K in fines after exposing roofing workers to potentially deadly fall hazards 5 times in 7 weeks at Wentzville worksites

US Department of Labor awards $86M to 14 states for investment in skills training programs for critical in-demand, emerging industries