Contractor Issued Sixth Fall-Hazard Citation Since 2018

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 | 0

A Hartsville, Ohio-based contractor has been cited for the sixth time since 2018 for exposing workers to deadly fall hazards on two separate Ohio job sites.

In a recent investigation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined that ILS Construction and its owner, Ivan Lowky, failed to provide fall protection equipment to workers and train them on its use. OSHA proposed penalties totaling $237,013 following the October and December inspections.

On Dec. 2, OSHA inspectors observed roofers employed by ILS Construction working on a residential home. The agency issued three willful, two repeat and two serious violations for not providing fall protection and training, failing to ensure workers used hard hats and safety glasses, and not providing a ladder extended at least 3 feet above the landing surface.

At the time of the December inspection, OSHA was already investigating the company after observing employees working at heights greater than 10 feet on a Parma commercial building on Oct. 27. OSHA cited the employer for a lack of fall protection and training and for not providing a ladder or others means to exit elevated surfaces safely.

OSHA previously cited Lowky and ILS Construction for similar hazards in 2018, 2019 and 2020 with penalties OSHA says have not been paid.

Business Insurance is a sister publication of WorkCompCentral. More stories are here.