Illinois Contractor Cited for Seventh Time in Almost 8 Years
OSHA found that workers were not given fall protection equipment, among other violations.
- By Alex Saurman
- Jun 13, 2023
A contractor cited six other times since 2015 is facing more citations after a recent OSHA inspection.
According to a news release, the inspection was launched after OSHA noticed six carpenters who did not have fall protection working up to 21 feet high in April 2023. Inspectors found that at the Orland Park, Illinois project, United Custom Homes LLC did not give workers:
- fall protection equipment,
- training on fall protection and forklift use and
- eye protection.
"Falls are a leading cause of death in the construction industry. By failing to comply with the law yet again, United Custom Homes' employees face real dangers that federal safety standards can prevent," said OSHA Chicago South Area Director James Martineck in Tinley Park, Illinois, in the news release.
In addition to proposing $151,260 in penalties, OSHA issued a citation for one willful, one repeat and two serious violations.
Similar fall protection violations have been found at other United Custom Homes LLC sites. Per the agency, the most recent inspection marks the seventh site these violations have been discovered at since 2015.
"United Custom Homes' continued defiance toward federal safety regulations is putting their employees at risk of serious and sometimes fatal fall injuries," Martineck said.
According to OSHA, United Custom Homes LLC has an unpaid balance of OSHA penalties totaling $81,000.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.