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Region 5 News Release: 12-1023-CHI
June 5, 2012
Contact: Scott Allen      Rhonda Burke
Phone:        312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov      burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites roofing contractor
Woodridge Enterprises for lack of fall protection at 2 Illinois job sites

LEMONT, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited roofing contractor Woodridge Enterprises Inc. in Lemont with four safety violations for failing to protect workers from falls at two separate job sites in Hinsdale and Carol Stream. OSHA's inspections were initiated under the agency's fall protection program. Proposed fines total $54,120.

"Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Failing to provide fall protection places workers at risk for serious or fatal injuries," said Kathy Webb, OSHA's area director in North Aurora. "OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job, especially when employers fail to do so."

An inspection opened Feb. 29 at a residential site in Hinsdale found two repeat violations involving a failure to provide fall protection on a scaffold higher than 25 feet and provide fall protection for workers engaged in construction activities. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. Similar violations were cited in February 2010 and March 2009 at sites in Elmhurst and Hinsdale, respectively.

One serious violation was cited for failing to have a ladder that extends at least 3 feet above the landing surface. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

A second inspection was opened March 7 at a commercial roofing job site in Carol Stream, where another serious violation was cited for not providing sufficient fall protection to workers on a low-slope roof. Prior to the two inspections earlier this year, the company had been inspected five times since 2003, resulting in citations for lack of fall protection and other hazards.

In April, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced a new campaign to provide employers and workers with lifesaving information and educational materials about working safely from ladders, scaffolds and roofs in an effort to prevent deadly falls in the construction industry. In 2010, more than 10,000 construction workers were injured as a result of falling while working from heights, and more than 250 workers were killed. OSHA's fall prevention campaign was developed in partnership with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda program. More information on fall protection standards is available in English and Spanish at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls.

Woodridge Enterprises 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.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's North Aurora Area Office at 630-896-8700.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.