Wisconsin Contractor Faces Over $144,000 in OSHA Penalties for Repeated Violations

Wisconsin Contractor Faces Over $144,000 in OSHA Penalties for Repeated Violations

With a history of OSHA violations, the company repeatedly failed to protect workers from deadly fall hazards.

  • By Robert Yaniz Jr.
  • Sep 13, 2024

Wisconsin-based GL Construction of Madison LLC, has once again been cited for serious safety violations after a federal inspection revealed employees working at dangerous heights without adequate fall protection.

According to a recent release, OSHA opened the investigation in February 2024 after observing six workers performing framing work up to 12 feet off the ground at a Verona, Wisconsin, residential construction site. 

The inspection, part of the National Emphasis Program for Falls, resulted in proposed penalties totaling $144,505. GL Construction received one willful, two repeat, and five serious violations for failing to protect workers from fall hazards.

The company’s history of safety failures includes a fatal incident in 2022, when an employee was killed after being struck by a 1,000-pound wall during a high-wind crane lift. That accident led to nine serious violations, as well as additional fines and citations. According to OSHA, the company has yet to pay penalties or provide abatement information related to that fatality.

“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,” OSHA Area Director Chad Greenwood in Madison, Wisconsin, said in a statement. “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.”

GL Construction of Madison now has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest the findings before an independent commission.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

Product Showcase

  • Safety Shower Test Cart

    The Safety Shower Test Cart speeds up and simplifies emergency shower tests, ensures you stay in compliance with OSHA regulations, and significantly reduces testing costs. With 7 unique features, the cart makes testing easy, effective, and efficient. You can test water clarity, flow, temperature, and spread—all at the same time! Most safety shower testing kits create a mess, take too much time to use, and don't fully help you stay in compliance with OSHA & ANSI standards. Transform the way you test emergency showers with Green Gobbler Safety. Read More

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

  • SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit

    The SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit is a single-use spot test designed for use in screening for cannabis compounds in any sample type or on any surface. The test is capable of identifying the presumed presence of cannabinoids in very small quantities, with a level of detection as little as 6 μg in mass. Learn more about the SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit and the rest of SwabTek surface drug testing solutions through the webinar titled "Everything You Want To Know About Surface Testing" Read More

Featured

Most   Popular

Artificial Intelligence