A Zion contractor with a history of safety violations is under fire again as federal inspectors found workers exposed to dangerous fall hazards for the fifth time in two years. While roofing a residential structure in Glencoe this past August, employees of Miguel A. Esquina Reyes – operating as Corner Construction Corp. – were observed without the proper fall protection equipment, despite the known risks associated with such work.
According to a recent release by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls from elevation remain the leading cause of death among construction workers. Underscoring the gravity of the situation, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provided a grim backdrop reporting 1,069 construction worker fatalities in 2022, with 395 due to falls. Amid the watchful eye of OSHA, Corner Construction continued its hazardous practices, ignoring regulations designed to prevent such tragedies.
As a consequence of the latest violations, OSHA has slapped Corner Construction with three new citations - one willful, one repeat, and one serious. The company now faces $266,175 in proposed penalties. This is on top of the $19,015 in penalties assessed in February 2024 for similar violations at a Downers Grove worksite, and $82,000 in unpaid OSHA penalties already hanging over Corner Construction's head.
OSHA's Chicago North Area Director, Sukhvir Kaur, remarked on the issue, stating, "It takes just seconds to lose footing, to fall off a roof and suffer serious and all-too-often fatal injuries. Miguel Reyes continues to show a chronic disregard for safe work operations and a willingness to jeopardize his employees’ lives and well-being."
In response to the ongoing challenges of fall-related injuries and fatalities in construction, OSHA provides various resources for increasing workplace safety. Their Stop Falls website features safety information and video presentations in both English and Spanish, aiming to educate workers on fall hazards and safety procedures.
