Workplace Safety Press Releases

U.S. Labor Department's OSHA Cites Chicago Construction Company in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incident—10/01/2007

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $112,000 in fines against Elliot Construction Co. Inc., Glen Ellyn, Ill., for alleged willful violations of federal workplace health standards following a workplace incident that led to the hospitalization of four employees suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

OSHA opened an inspection after learning of the hospitalizations resulting from overexposure to carbon monoxide at a Chicago worksite where the company was involved in constructing a new cold storage unit.

Three willful violations were issued alleging that the company failed to conduct air monitoring to determine employees' level of exposure to carbon monoxide, exposed employees to carbon monoxide above permissible levels, and did not implement administrative and engineering controls for exposure to carbon monoxide.

 “The devastating effects of exposure to carbon monoxide are well documented and well known,” said Gary Anderson, OSHA's area director in Calumet City, Ill. “Elliot Construction must ensure that its employees are protected against this highly toxic gas.”

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. "U.S. Labor Department's OSHA Cites Chicago Construction Company in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incident." [http://www.osha.gov/briefing.html]. 11/02/2007.