October 25, 2020
Illinois Workers Comp and Covid-19
ILLINOIS WORK COMP UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Effective April 13, 202 …
For the second time in one month, a builder based in Batavia, Illinois has been issued a series of citations by OSHA officials for exposing workers to fall hazards, according to federal regulators. Don Bosco was issued two willful citations, along with five serious citations, for a total proposed penalty of $162,000.
A Closer Look at the Violations
According to OSHA, in August 2015, one of its inspectors was at a work site in Wheaton when he observed Don Bosco workers setting up rafters without the proper fall protections – like safety nets or guardrails. Additional investigation revealed that these workers were at risk of falling:
- More than 14 feet, as a result of rafters not having protections around floor openings, as well as around windows and sides
- At the site’s stairways and landings, which lacked guardrails.
Workers were also exposed to the risk of electric shock, as there were no ground fault circuit interrupters and damaged extension cords were being used.
Commenting on OSHA’s actions against Don Bosco, Jake Scott, OSHA’s area director in North Aurora, has stated:
Don Bosco continues to ignore OSHA standards and is failing to protect its employees on the job… OSHA will continue to monitor this employer for compliance, and do everything in its power to keep workers safely out of life-threatening working conditions.
Falling Is a Major Threat to Construction Workers, OSHA Notes
In discussing the enforcement action taken against Don Bosco, officials noted that “falls are a leading cause of death for construction workers, accounting for nearly 40 percent of construction fatalities in 2014.”
Consequently, OSHA requires fall protections to be provided to workers who engage in construction work at heights of 6 feet or more above the next lower level.
Contact a Mount Vernon Workers Compensation Lawyer at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.
If you or a loved one has been injured on the job or diagnosed with an occupational disease, a trusted Mount Vernon workers compensation lawyer at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. is here for you, ready to stand up for your rights.
Since 1950, our attorneys have been providing the highest quality legal services and representation to our clients, advocating their rights and advancing their interests to help them financially recovery following work accidents. Our attorneys focus on our clients’ needs while expertly guiding them through each stage of the complex workers compensation process.
To discuss your situation and options for proceeding, as well as how we can help you, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form on this page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.
