Columbus Workers Comp Attorney Weighs In On Lead Exposure

American Masonry Inc. is facing federal fines for safety violations, according to EHSToday.com. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sent officials to inspect a building site in Chicago, which houses several art studios. Officials determined workers were exposed to lead during sandblasting operations. American Masonry Inc. performs masonry repair and has been cited by OSHA in the past—its parent company, Waclaw Cilulko, has received 137 OSHA citations since 1978.

OSHA violations include a failure to implement a written lead compliance program, provide personal protective equipment and failure to implement a medical surveillance program to monitor lead exposure to workers. Proposed fines total $196,000.

“When employers such as American Masonry knowingly ignore health requirements, they are unduly placing their workers at risk for illness, and that is unacceptable,” said Chicago Regional OSHA Director Nick Walters. “Lead exposure can cause serious neurological damage, among other illness.”

Lead exposure is a very serious hazard, and OSHA does not take it lightly. It sounds like it may be a systematic safety problem with Waclaw Cilulko. Please visit our site for more information on workers comp, and contact our firm for a free consultation.

Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus workers compensation lawyer.