BLUE ISLAND, Ill. — Without proper
protections, employees who work with lead can bring this toxic metal home on
their clothes, shoes, skin, hair and hands with the potential to poison
children and other family members. "Take-home lead" as it's called is
particularly dangerous for pregnant women and preschoolers.
Employees of Chicago-based Era Valdivia Contractors Inc.
and their families faced this risk, after workers were exposed to dangerous
lead hazards while sandblasting the steel structure of the Francisco Avenue
Bridge in Blue Island on July 25, 2014.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and
Health Administration initiated an inspection of the company under the National
Emphasis Program for Lead after observing employees working without personal
protective equipment. Four willful, one serious and two repeated safety
violations, carrying proposed penalties of $287,440, were cited. The company
has been cited 13 previous times for violating the lead construction standards.
"OSHA's investigation found that Era Valdivia
Contractors had performed tests that indicated dangerous lead exposure in the
early stages of the project. The company made a conscious decision not to
protect its workers," said Kathy Webb, OSHA's area director in Calumet
City.
"Era Valdivia Contractors failed to follow the law
and its company policy, putting everyone at risk."
OSHA estimates that approximately 804,000 workers in
general industry and an additional 838,000 workers in construction are
potentially exposed to lead regularly. Lead exposure can cause long-term damage
to the central nervous, urinary, blood and reproductive systems.
Era Valdivia Contractors was issued four willful
violations for failing to provide personal protective clothing, clean changing
areas and hygiene facilities, such as showers and hand-washing facilities, to
prevent lead from traveling home. A willful violation is one committed with
intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirement, or with
plain indifference to employee safety and health.
The company also failed to provide written notice to an
employee who was overexposed to lead, resulting in the issuance of one serious
violation. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability
that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the
employer knew or should have known.
Two violations were cited for failing to provide an
on-site lead compliance program and to post lead warning signs in work areas.
The company was cited for similar violations in 2011.
To view the current citations see:
Era Valdivia Contractors 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.
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a
complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations
posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free
hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Calumet City office at
708-891-3800.
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 ensure these conditions for America's working men
and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education
and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
Source: DOL
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