Roofing contractor cited for eschewing fall safety protections

An Illinois roofing contractor is facing $103,000 in proposed penalties after being cited by federal safety and health regulators for exposing workers to fall hazards.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Batavia, Illinois-based Don Bosco L.L.C. for one willful and seven serious safety violations earlier this week, according to an agency news release issued on Wednesday.

In June, an OSHA inspector observed eight employees engaged in framing operations on a home under construction in Elgin, Illinois, who were not provided fall protection such as guardrail systems, safety nets or personal fall arrest systems when constructing rafters. The agency found workers exposed to falls in excess of 17 feet when they were building scaffolds and 19 feet while constructing rafters.

The agency has two additional inspections open with the company for similar violations.

“Don Bosco has demonstrated a deliberate lack of concern for the safety of its employees by refusing to comply with fall protection standards,” Jake Scott, OSHA's area director in North Aurora, Illinois, said in a statement.

A company spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.