OSHA cites Illinois contractor for exposing employees to falls

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited residential homebuilder Florentino Rodriguez of DB Custom Carpentry LLC for exposing employees to falls at a residential worksite in Wheaton, Illinois.

The Aurora, Illinois-based contractor faces penalties totaling $196,905 for one serious and two willful safety violations.

In November 2018, OSHA inspectors observed employees working without adequate fall protection. The company was also cited for failing to train employees on fall protection and safe forklift operations.

Since 2013, OSHA has cited companies owned by Rodriguez for fall violations 12 times. The contractor owes more than $797,000 in outstanding penalties, which OSHA has referred to the U.S. Department of Treasury for debt collection.

“This employer continues to expose employees to fall hazards ? the leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry,” says OSHA Naperville Area Office Director Jacob Scott. “Employers must comply with federal safety requirements and ensure that employees are adequately protected from, and trained on, hazards that exist at their worksites.”

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.