Construction companies face nearly $2M fine over asbestos

Two construction companies in southern Illinois face fines totaling $1.9 million after they were accused of exposing workers to cancer-causing asbestos, according to the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“The law is that all workers in the United States have a right to a safe workplace,” David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, said in a phone interview. “The size of the fine is a statement about the gravity of the situation. These workers will carry the increased risk of cancer for the rest of their lives.”

Michaels said OSHA rarely imposes such large fines and it is considering filing criminal charges against the company with the Justice Department.

By comparison, last year, six companies accused of exposing workers to asbestos, lead and electrical hazards while renovating a school cafeteria in Evanston faced a combined fine of more than $132,000. Separately, a company accused last year of failing to collect and dispose of asbestos-containing material from a Chicago historical firehouse faced a fine of $46,000.

The fines against downstate companies Kehrer Brothers Construction and D7 Roofing stem from an OSHA investigation earlier this year at a school in Okawville, near St. Louis. Investigators found that the companies violated labor law when they directed several workers to remove materials that contained asbestos.

The workers were not provided training on hazardous materials or given basic safety equipment like helmets, OSHA said. Furthermore, the companies did not comply with rules to remove asbestos, exposing workers to high concentrations of the minerals, OSHA added.

OSHA said many of the workers were immigrants with H-2B visas, which allow companies to temporarily hire foreign workers.

Asbestos exposure occurs when workers cut and sand building materials with asbestos, releasing fibers that can be inhaled. Asbestos can cause lung disease and mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung or stomach that is nearly always fatal, OSHA said.

Kehrer Brothers, based in Albers, faces a fine of about $1.8 million for 40 violations. The company, which has been fined in previous years, was placed in OSHA’s severe violator enforcement program, which includes follow-up inspections.

New Baden-based D7 Roofing was fined $147,000 for three violations.

Kehrer Brothers and D7 didn’t respond to calls for comment. The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citation to pay the fine, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the citation.

 

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-construction-labor-violations-0815-biz-20150814-story.html

Recent News

 
Vermeer WC2500TX Wood Chipper
The WC2500TX tracked wood chipper has a 600-horsepower Tier 4-F engine that enables it to handle whole trees. It comes with either a microchip drum, which produces chip sizes between 1/8 and 5/8 inch, or a macrochip drum, which produces chips between 5/8 and 1 1/4 inches. High-wear areas—such as the drum, discharge chute, cutter
“TENEMOS TODO MENOS GASOLINA”
www.tractopart.com TENEMOS PIEZAS ORIGINALES, PARTES DE REEMPLAZO, RECONSTRUIDO Y USADOS CON GARANTÍA.
Antofagasta:  punto de encuentro de la industria minera en Exponor 2017
Una vez más, como ha sido cada año por medio desde 1995, los distintos estamentos que componen la industria minera se reúnen en una de las citas más importantes del sector, la Exhibición de Tecnologías e Innovaciones Globales para la Minería, Exponor. Con sede en Antofagasta, durante una semana se convierte en el polo de
Más de 2 mil operadores de equipos pesados participan en tercer concurso organizado por Ferreycorp
ACTUALIDAD EMPRESARIAL. Más de 2 mil operadores de equipos pesados participan en tercer concurso organizado por Ferreycorp.
Link-Belt 750 X4 Excavator
    The 750 X4 excavator has an operating weight of 158,300 pounds, and is powered by a 512-horsepower Isuzu engine. Cycles times have been boosted by 7 percent, and arm digging force by 15 percent, compared to the predecessor. Digging depth is 32 feet 4 inches with 64,970 lb.-ft. of arm force. Bucket digging
La fuerte baja en El Precio del cobre en Chile y menores leyes mineras golpearon al sector.
La compleja situación por la que atravesó la minería en 2016 se dejó sentir en la recaudación fiscal. Es que la caída en el valor del cobre y la disminución de las leyes mineras impactaron fuerte en el royalty, cuya recaudación alcanzó su menor nivel en la historia del impuesto específico que se creó en

About Us

 
In Tractopart we supply quality construction Parts and Heavy Equipment Parts with excellent discount rate for New , Used Rebuilt & Surplus parts for excavators, Wheel loader dozers, and undercarriage for all heavy equipment brands, we are locate in Miami, Fl

Contact Info

 

At Tractopart we focus on providing high quality parts at a great price. Our parts are subjected to rigorous inspection procedures that allow us to ensure product quality.


Phone: 786.219.1010
Email: sales@tractopart.com
Main Office: 3505 South Ocean Drive #204
Hollywood, FL 33019