Company Fined $264K for Fall Protection Violations

 Posted on February 19, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

A construction company based in Oswego, Illinois, is facing more than $264,000 in federal fines for its continued failure to protect workers from fall hazards. This is the eighth time since 2015 that this company has been cited for failing to ensure a safe work environment on job sites. Any worker who has suffered an injury caused by an unsafe work site should contact an Illinois workers' compensation lawyer immediately.

Four Violations

According to a press release issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), on August 23, 2023, OSHA inspectors saw employees of United Custom Homes LLC working without any protective equipment at a residential construction site in Naperville. Some workers were operating at heights up to 20 feet without any fall protection.

The August site visit resulted in inspectors issuing the following four violations against the company:

• Serious – Employees were exposed to fall hazards while accessing the roof using an A-frame step ladder.
• Willful – No construction above 6 feet was protected by safety nets, guardrails, or fall arrest systems.
• Repeat – Serious – The company does not provide any fall hazard training programs for employees.
• Other-Than-Serious – The company failed to evaluate every industrial truck operator's performance at once over the past three years.

The violations were issued on February 8, 2004. The company has 15 business days from that date to either comply, request a conference or contest OSHA's findings.

Fall Hazards

According to statistics released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, there were 1,056 construction workers killed on the job. Of that total, 423 of those fatalities were the result of falls. Construction workers who do survive falls are often left with serious to catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common include:

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries occur when a person's head sustains a significant impact during a fall. This can happen if the individual strikes their head against a hard surface upon landing or if they fall from a considerable height. Brain injuries can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, leading to long-term cognitive impairment, memory loss, and emotional disturbances. Even with prompt medical attention, these injuries can have lasting consequences on an individual's quality of life and ability to work.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are another devastating consequence of falls at construction sites, particularly from elevated platforms or scaffolding. When the spinal cord is injured, it can result in partial or complete paralysis below the site of injury. These injuries often lead to permanent disabilities, impacting mobility, sensation, and bodily functions. Individuals who sustain this type of injury may require extensive rehabilitation and lifelong assistance to manage their condition, significantly altering their independence and lifestyle.

Fractures

Fractures are common in construction site falls and can affect various parts of the body, including the arms, legs, pelvis, and spine. Falling from heights or onto uneven surfaces can exert immense force on bones, causing them to break or shatter. Fractures can range from minor breaks requiring simple splinting to complex fractures necessitating surgical intervention with the insertion of pins, plates, or screws for stabilization. Recovery from fractures may involve prolonged immobilization, physical therapy, and potential complications such as infection or delayed healing.

Contact an Aurora, IL Workers' Compensation Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you have been injured on the job, contact a Kane County, IL construction site accident attorney to determine the benefits you may be entitled to. Call Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. at 630-907-0909 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.