Region 5 News Release: 13-573-CHI
April 11, 2013
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 Inc. for lack of fall protection at Illinois job site

LEMONT, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited roofing contractor Woodridge Enterprises Inc. in Lemont with eight safety violations, including three repeat, for lack of protection from falls at a residential job site in Hinsdale. Initiated under OSHA's fall protection program, the inspection resulted in proposed fines totaling $47,960.

The Jan. 16 inspection found three repeat violations involving a lack of fall protection for workers on a scaffold higher than 19 feet and in construction activities at a height of 20 feet, as well as failing to extend ladders at least 3 feet above the landing surface. 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 June 2012, February 2010 and March 2009 at sites in Hinsdale, Carol Stream and Elmhurst. More information on fall protection standards is available in English and Spanish at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls.

"Woodridge Enterprises has been repeatedly cited for violations of fall protection standards. These violations put roofers at risk of serious or fatal injuries," said Kathy Webb, OSHA's area director in North Aurora. "Falls remain the leading cause of death in the construction industry, and companies who perform this type of work must take responsibility for protecting their workers on the job."

The serious violations involve failing to train and certify powered industrial truck operators and provide safe access to a ladder jack scaffold; bridging ladder jack scaffolds together and allowing workers to use a scaffold that exceeded 20 feet in height; and anchorage points not installed per manufacturer's specifications and unable to support 5,000 pounds, as required. 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.

Because of the hazards and the violations cited, Woodbridge Enterprises has been placed in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law. OSHA's SVEP focuses on recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat or failure-to-abate violations. Under the program, OSHA may inspect any of the employer's facilities if it has reasonable grounds to believe there are similar violations.

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. This inspection is the ninth at the company since 2003, with each inspection resulting in citations.

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.