Corner Construction Corp., based in Zion, Illinois, faces $266,175 in new fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after failing to provide proper fall protection for its workers. This marks a continuation of violations, with OSHA citing the company for one willful, one repeat, and one serious violation.

In its most recent inspection, OSHA investigators found workers performing roofing tasks on a residential structure without fall protection, marking the second such incident in six months and the fifth in two years. In August 2024, OSHA cited Corner Construction for allowing workers to work at heights greater than 6 feet without required fall protection at a residential site in Glencoe. The company was also cited for unsafe ladder use.

Falls from height are among the "fatal four" construction hazards, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that the majority of fatal falls in 2023 occurred from heights of 6 to 30 feet. In light of this, OSHA's construction industry fall protection standard has remained its most frequently cited regulation for the past 14 years.

This new round of violations follows previous infractions, including a repeat violation in February 2024 at a Downers Grove site. OSHA also notes that Corner Construction owes $82,000 in unpaid penalties.

"OSHA often finds contractors violating the same safety regulations repeatedly, because they believe their workers will not fall victim to injury," said Sukhvir Kaur, OSHA’s Chicago North area office director. "Miguel Reyes continues to show a chronic disregard for safe work operations and a willingness to jeopardize his employees' lives and well-being."

OSHA's National Emphasis Program (NEP) on fall prevention, which began in 2023, targets improving fall safety across industries, with the agency focusing on outreach and enforcement efforts to educate employers and improve workplace safety.