A suburban Madison contractor with a history of federal safety violations, including incidents leading to an employee's fatal injuries in 2022, has once again been found exposing workers to significant hazards. A recent federal safety inspection revealed that GL Construction of Madison LLC failed to protect its employees from falls at a Verona residential construction site.
The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initiated the inspection in February 2024 after observing six employees working up to 12 feet off the ground without necessary protective equipment. This inspection was part of OSHA’s National Emphasis Program for Falls.
As a result, GL Construction received citations for one willful, two repeat, and five serious violations, along with proposed penalties totaling $144,505. These latest infractions mark the fourth consecutive year the company has been cited for defying federal safety regulations.
In October 2023, just four months before this investigation, OSHA found similar issues at a Sun Prairie worksite and issued citations for one repeat violation and two serious violations.
The willful and repeat violations stem from similar safety failures identified during an investigation into an April 2022 incident where a GL Construction employee died after being struck by a wall weighing over 1,000 pounds. The wall tipped over as the crew attempted to lift it using a crane in high winds. That incident led OSHA to cite the company for nine serious and two other-than-serious violations.
To date, GL Construction has not paid related federal penalties or provided abatement information as required by terms of a settlement with OSHA.
“GL Construction of Madison has repeatedly exposed its employees to potentially fatal injuries and shows a blatant and callous disregard for their safety and welfare,” stated OSHA Area Director Chad Greenwood in Madison, Wisconsin. “This company must bring its workplace safety program in compliance with federal regulations immediately, as it agreed to do after an employee passed away in April 2022. Employers have no excuse for ignoring their legal and moral responsibilities and putting profit before people.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,069 construction workers died on the job in 2022; out of these fatalities, 395 were due to falls from elevation.
OSHA provides resources on fall hazards through its stop falls website which includes safety information and video presentations available in English and Spanish.
GL Construction has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
