U.S. Department of Labor Cites Illinois Masonry Contractor for Repeatedly Exposing Employees to Fall and Scaffolding Hazards at Chicago Job Site

CHICAGO, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Polo Masonry Builders Inc. – based in Park Ridge, Illinois – for exposing employees to fall and scaffolding hazards while working on a commercial building project in Chicago, Illinois. The company faces penalties of $252,136. OSHA placed the company in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

OSHA inspectors cited the company for repeat and other-than-serious safety violations, including failing to provide fall protection, install guardrail systems on platforms, provide safe access to scaffold work platforms, use rebar caps to protect employees from impalement hazards, document fall protection training and submit injury and illness logs.

OSHA has cited Polo Masonry Builders for fall protection violations 13 times since 2010.

"Employers are legally required to follow safety procedures on every jobsite to ensure that workers are protected from recognized workplace hazards," said Loren Sweatt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for OSHA. "Installing safe work platforms and training workers about working at elevation protects workers from fatal falls."

OSHA offers compliance assistance resources on how to prevent falls from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs on the OSHA Fall Protection webpage at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the 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.

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 help ensure these conditions for American working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.