Illinois Roofing Contractor Pays $365K in Penalties After Labor Department Seizes Assets

A roofing contractor based in Waukegan, Illinois, has paid $365,576 in fines and interest after repeatedly ignoring federal workplace safety standards. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) enforced the payment through its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) debt collection program. The contractor’s company, ECS Roofing Professionals Inc., had a long history of exposing employees to dangerous fall hazards, resulting in numerous OSHA citations since 2014.

In January 2024, a federal court issued a default judgment ordering the company to pay the outstanding penalties, attorney’s fees, and interest for safety violations in 2022. The DOL followed up by filing liens on the company’s Illinois properties in March 2024 and a motion to compel asset discovery in May 2024, which prompted the contractor to finally comply with the court’s order.

The penalties highlight the DOL’s dedication to enforcing workplace safety regulations and holding employers accountable. Falls are the leading cause of death and serious injury in the construction industry, and the company’s repeated violations demonstrate the severe consequences of neglecting worker safety. The Department of Labor’s actions serve as a strong reminder to all employers about their legal responsibilities to protect their workers.