A Madison, W,I construction contractor, GL Construction, has been found exposing workers to fall hazards during a federal safety inspection last Feb. according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
OSHA conducted an investigation after six GL Construction employees were witnessed doing framing work up to 12 feet off the ground without the required safety equipment at a Verona site. Falls from elevation are one of the construction industry’s most fatal hazards. The inspection was found to violate OSHA’s National Emphasis Program for Falls.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, GL Construction received citations for “one willful, two repeat and five serious violations, and proposed $144,505 in penalties, the latest infractions for a contractor found defying federal safety regulations in inspections in each of the last four years.”
GL Construction has been cited several violations for falls and other hazards in the past four years. They received one repeat violation and two serious violations in Oct. 2023 as well as nine serious and two other-than-serious violations after the death of a GL Construction employee in April 2022. The worker passed away after being struck by a fallen wall that weighed over 1,000 pounds during a high-wind crane lift.
“GL Construction of Madison has repeatedly exposed its employees to potentially fatal injuries and shows a blatant and callous disregard for their safety and welfare,” said OSHA Area Director Chad Greenwood in Madison, WI. “This company must bring its workplace safety program in compliance with federal regulations immediately, as it agreed to do after an employee passed away in April 2022. Employers have no excuse for ignoring their legal and moral responsibilities and putting profit before people.”
The construction company has not paid any related federal penalties, provided abatement information or complied with the settlement formed between OSHA and GL Construction.
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.
