Region 5 News Release: 11-445-CHI
April 13, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4807
E-mail: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites T. Scott Dillman Enterprises
for failing to provide roof and scaffolding fall protection

URBANA, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited T. Scott Dillman Enterprises Inc. of Urbana., a residential construction company, for four safety violations involving failure to provide adequate fall protection and training for employees working on scaffolds and residential roofing projects at a job site in Champaign. OSHA has proposed $70,070 in penalties following an October 2010 inspection.

"Falls are a leading cause of injury and death in the workplace," said Thomas Bielema, OSHA's area director in Peoria. "Failing to provide fall protection is unacceptable. OSHA is committed to ensuring employers abide by its safety and health regulations."

T. Scott Dillman Enterprises was issued one willful citation for failing to provide fall protection for employees working on a scaffold. A willful violation exists when an employer has demonstrated either an intentional disregard for the requirements of the law or plain indifference to employee safety and health.

The company was issued one repeat citation for failing to train employees on the safe use of scaffolding. 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. T. Scott Dillman Enterprises previously was cited for failing to provide fall protection and training for workers in July 2008 and July 2010.

Additionally, the company received two serious citations for allowing employees to work on a residential roof without adequate fall protection and failing to train employees in fall protection requirements. 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.

OSHA standards require that an effective form of fall protection, such as guardrails, safety nets or personal fall arrest systems, be in use when workers perform residential construction activities 6 feet or more above the next lower level. Detailed information on fall protection hazards and safeguards is available online at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html. Detailed information on scaffold hazards and safe work practices, including an interactive e-Tool, is also available online at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/scaffolding/index.html.

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. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Peoria Area Office at 309-589-7033. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

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, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.