Oct. 20, 2015

Chicago roofers exposed to dangerous asbestos hazards

Employer names: Continental Contractors, Niles, Illinois and Local Roofing Inc., Gurnee, Illinois

Citations received: Oct. 16, 2015

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Chicago North Area Office cited a contractor and subcontractor for exposing workers to asbestos hazards while replacing a commercial roof in the 4200 block of N. Knox in Chicago.

Continental Contractors was cited for 11 serious violations carrying proposed penalties of $21,600. Local Roofing, which had been subcontracted to demolish, remove and replace the building's roofing system, was issued nine serious violations carrying proposed penalties of $48,510.

The companies were cited for failing to:

• Conduct an exposure assessment for asbestos.
• Establish a respiratory protection program.
• Use engineering controls such as a HEPA vacuum and dry sweeping to clean-up material likely to contain asbestos.
• Train workers on asbestos hazards.
• Provide personal protective clothing.

Quote: "Asbestos exposure can cause chronic lung disease and cancer. No worker should be exposed to this potentially life-ending substance without being trained and provided protective equipment," said Angeline Loftus, OSHA's area director for the Chicago North office in Des Plaines.

View citations: Continental Contractors, Local Roofing

# # #

Media Contacts:

Scott Allen, 312-353-6976, allen.scott@dol.gov
Rhonda Burke, 312-353-6976, burke.rhonda@dol.gov

Release Number: 15-1905-CHI

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department's Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).