OSHA Inspection: UCH, LLC

Issued

May 19, 2025

Abate by

Jun 17, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,837 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1053(b)(1): When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder shall be secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grabrail, shall be provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder. In no case shall the extension be such that ladder deflection under a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip off its support.  On or about April 16, 2025, employees were working on the top level of a new residential construction building. Employees were using an A-frame ladder to access the top level and the ladder was not extended 3 feet above the upper landing surface.  Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

May 19, 2025

Abate by

Jun 17, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1053(b)(4): Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.  On or about April 16, 2025, employees were performing framing operations on a new construction residential building. Two employees were on the third floor and used a folded A-frame ladder that was approximately 12 feet to reach the upper level. The A-frame ladder was not used for the purpose for which it was designed and exposed employees to fall hazards.  Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

May 19, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1053(b)(13): The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step.  On or about April 16, 2025, employees performing framing work on a new construction residential building were using the top step of an A-frame ladder as a step, exposing them to fall hazards of 6 feet or greater.

Issued

May 19, 2025

Penalty

Initial $9,930 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.501(b)(13): "Residential construction." Each employee engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system unless another provision in paragraph (b) of this section provides for an alternative fall protection measure. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502. Note: There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above-listed fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.  Instance 1- On or about April 16, 2025, one employee was working at heights of approximately 14 feet or more without any means of fall protection. Two employees were working at heights  of approximately 20 feet or more without any means of fall protection. All three employees were exposed to fall hazards while performing framing work on a new residential construction building.   Instance 2- On or about April 16, 2025, four employees were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 8 feet due to an unguarded edge leading to the basement of the building. The unguarded edge was located next to the stairwell that employees used to access the upper levels of the building.  UCH, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1745488, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on October 7, 2024, with respect to a workplace located at 623 Logan Ave., Geneva, IL 60134.

Issued

May 19, 2025

Abate by

Sep 2, 2025

Penalty

Initial $266 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.503(b)(1): The employer shall verify compliance with paragraph (a) of this section by preparing a written certification record. The written certification record shall contain the name or other identity of the employee trained, the date(s) of the training, and the signature of the person who conducted the training or the signature of the employer. If the employer relies on training conducted by another employer or completed prior to the effective date of this section, the certification record shall indicate the date the employer determined the prior training was adequate rather than the date of actual training.  On or about April 16, 2025, employees working at heights exceeding 6 feet were not utilizing fall protection and have not been provided with a fall protection written certification of training.  UCH, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.503(b)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1745488, citation number 1, item number 2, and was affirmed as a final order on October 7, 2024, with respect to a workplace located at 623 Logan Ave., Geneva, IL 60134.  Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 19, 2025

Abate by

Sep 2, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(6): Certification. The employer did not certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l). The certification shall include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.  On or about April 16, 2025, employees were using a Skytrak forklift to bring framing materials to employees working on a roof. The employees were not provided with a certification to show training had been conducted on powered industrial vehicles.  Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).