Federal workplace safety inspectors have cited a Lake Zurich roofing contractor, Fino Exterior Inc., for the eighth time since 2020. The citations were issued for exposing workers to fall hazards, which are the leading cause of fatal and serious injuries in the construction industry.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) observed Fino Exterior employees working without legally required fall protection equipment on four occasions in 2024. These incidents occurred in Palatine on February 6, Orland Park on June 12, Palos Heights on August 16, and Shorewood on October 16. OSHA cited the company for 13 safety violations during three inspections over four months and proposed penalties totaling $262,631.
"Fino Exterior’s blatant disregard for its employees’ safety is a callous invitation to tragedy," said OSHA Chicago South Area Director James Martineck in Tinley Park, Illinois. He emphasized that many construction contractors violate regulations under the misguided belief that their workers will not suffer serious injuries or worse.
In addition to fall protection issues, OSHA identified other violations by Fino Exterior:
- Allowing employees to work near energized power lines.
- Not providing required hard hats.
- Failing to train workers about fall protection hazards and prevention.
- Lack of eye protection for workers using pneumatic nail guns.
- Improper ladder use.
"A worker can lose their footing and fall off a roof in seconds," Martineck added. He stressed that falls from elevation can lead to life-altering and deadly injuries, which can be prevented with proper protective equipment and training.
These infractions continue a pattern of similar citations following six inspections since 2020 and two others under the previous name Arellano Roofing Corp. Fino Exteriors Inc. currently owes $65,115 in unpaid OSHA penalties.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,069 construction workers died on the job in 2022, with 395 deaths related to falls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported about 20,000 worker injuries annually from falls between 2013 and 2022.
OSHA offers resources such as safety information and video presentations on its Stop Falls website in both English and Spanish to educate workers about fall hazards and safety procedures. The agency also provides compliance assistance resources specifically aimed at protecting roofing workers.
Learn more about OSHA.
