Alleging that K.L.F. Enterprises — a Chicago demolition subcontractor — knew it was exposing its employees and others to the serious dangers of asbestos at a Waukegan, Illinois work site, the U.S. Department of Labor has cited the company for 36 safety and health violations after a federal investigation. 

In November 2023, OSHA investigators opened a complaint inspection after they observed K.L.F. employees not wearing protective equipment amid piles of debris and steel I-beams during structural demolition of the eight-story former Lakes Behavioral Health hospital. 

OSHA determined that K.L.F. continued demolition activities — disturbing and removing asbestos used to fireproof the building’s interior — despite recognizing the debris piles outside were likely asbestos-laden. The company did not stop work or require employees to take appropriate precautions and use established control measures to protect themselves from this long-recognized hazard. 

“K.L.F. Enterprises’ decision not to stop work immediately or ensure appropriate control measures were followed when asbestos was clearly visible exposed these employees to a highly carcinogenic material with the potential for permanent, negative long-term health outcomes,” explained Chicago North OSHA Area Director Sukhvir Kaur in Arlington Heights. “We will hold companies accountable when they fail in their duty to protect the safety and health of their employees.” 

OSHA investigators discovered the company possessed a 2019 building survey that clearly identified the extensive use of asbestos to fireproof the structural’ beams but did not inform their employees of the hazards. In fact, agency investigators later determined the building’s insulation and fireproofing materials contained up to 15 percent chrysotile asbestos and K.L.F. had also failed to notify the site’s general contractor, Reed Illinois Construction in Chicago and the  building’s owner, V Covington LLC of Waukegan of the discovery of asbestos at the site during demolition work.

K.L.F. Enterprises received citations for lack of compliance with OSHA’s asbestos regulations, including a willful violation for failing to notify employees and other contractors of material containing asbestos, as well as violations related to the company’s failures to require employees to wear protective equipment. The agency  also cited the company for its failure to train employees to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions, provide medical surveillance of employees for asbestos, silica and lead exposures; and for other deficiencies in how K.L.F. handled asbestos, silica and lead materials and waste at the site. In addition, OSHA cited the company for exposing employees to safety hazards by not providing adequate fall protection around floor openings.