OSHA Inspection: EM CUSTOM HOMES, INC.

Issued

Aug 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,256 · Current $4,256

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.102(a)(1):The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.  On or about April 28, 2025, employees were exposed to eye injuries while engaged in residential construction activities operating a pneumatic nail gun. Eye protection was not being utilized while employees engaged in framing activities.

Issued

Aug 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $39,723 · Current $39,723

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.   On or about April 28, 2025, employees were exposed to falls of approximately 11.9 feet or more above ground level while engaged in residential construction activities. Fall protection was not being utilized while performing residential framing activities.  EM Custom Homes, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1657009, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on June 12, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at Lot 126 Betony Cir, Elgin, IL 60124  EM Custom Homes, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1652618, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on May 17, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 1005 Persimmon Dr., Genoa, IL 60135.  EM Custom Homes, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1)(vii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1578746, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on May 3, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at Lot # 506 Highland Woods, Elgin, IL 60120.

Issued

Aug 8, 2025

Abate by

Aug 29, 2025

Penalty

Initial $21,281 · Current $21,281

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 28, 2025, employees were exposed to fall hazards while performing roofing work and the employer did not certify that employees had been trained to recognize fall hazards, and the procedure to be followed in order to minimize those hazards.  EM Custom Homes, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1657009, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on June 12, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at Lot 126 Betony Cir, Elgin, IL 60124  EM Custom Homes, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1652618, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on May 17, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 1005 Persimmon Dr., Genoa, IL 60135.  Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Aug 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,513 · Current $8,513

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 28, 2025, the portable ladder to access the second level did not extend at least three (3') feet above the upper landing surface, thereby exposing employees to fall hazards.  EM Custom Homes, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1652618, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on May 17, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 1005 Persimmon Dr., Genoa, IL 60135.

Issued

Aug 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.502(d)(6): Unless the snaphook is a locking type and designed for the following connections, snaphooks shall not be engaged: 29 CFR  1926.502(d)(6)(i): directly to webbing, rope or wire rope.   On or about April 28, 2025, the employer did not ensure that employees properly utilized lanyards as part of a personal fall arrest system during residential framing activities. Employees secured the lanyard rope by wrapping the rope around a roof truss of a newly constructed residential structure and attaching it back to itself, thereby subjecting the lanyard to potential friction and damage.