Announcements

L&I's Annual Report Card Summary

We have completed our 7^th annual Report Card evaluation to understand from experienced professionals how L&I is performing as a whole and what process improvement opportunities exist for the Department. Please review the report card summary and related plans for continued improvement.

Webinars

2021 International Code Updates

In preparation for the July 2025 adoption of the 2021 International Codes, L&I will be conducting a 60-minute session to highlight the significant changes. This session will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Please register if you are interested in attending this webinar. 

**Attendees can receive 1.0 hour of continuing education credits for this course.** 

Future Sessions

Do you have any recommendations for additional webinar topics, general process clarification or general code interpretation? Complete and submit this online form to provide your feedback. 

Note: This form is for general process clarification and/or general code interpretations and no direct response will be provided by the Department. Any project-specific questions requiring a direct response must be submitted through the online help form. 

Fire Alarm Certification Requirements Webinar Slides

The Department presented a webinar on the requirements for fire alarm certifications including qualifications of the inspectors inspecting and certifying the fire alarm systems. The slides used during this webinar are posted on the website.

Make Safe Permit and Inspection Requirements Webinar Slides

The Department presented a webinar on the make safe permits and inspection requirements. The slides used during this webinar are posted on the website.

Permitting

Permit and License Fee Increase

On September 20, 2024, the regulation increasing permit and license fees by the rate of inflation became law. These fees will apply to all applications filed on or after January 1, 2025. The 2023 fees will continue to apply to applications filed before January 1, 2025.

Applicants are encouraged to file pending applications no later than Friday, December 27th to receive current rates.

Please visit the website for a list of fees for permits and licenses.

Audits & Investigations

Enforcement Priorities

The Audit and Investigations Unit (AIU) wants to call your attention to the following enforcement priorities:

• Contractors and Subcontractors Information - In accordance with the Philadelphia Code Title 9-1004, contractors who hire a subcontractor to perform work authorized by their permit must list the subcontractor on the permit in eCLIPSE within three (3) days of the commencement of any work authorized by that permit, unless that permit is for a residential building of two dwelling units or less. If the Department establishes that a contractor has failed to do this, the contractor will be cited with a violation of 9-1004(8). That citation is accompanied by a $2,000 fine.

• Subcontracting - Subcontractors must always be licensed and carry a valid contractor or trade license (for trade work) whenever they work. A subcontractor is any person or business hired to perform work authorized by a permit who is not identified on that permit’s application as the prime (or responsible) contractor.



• Worker Certification - Every worker at a Philadelphia construction site must have OSHA 10 training and carry their card with them when they’re on the job. If a building more than three stories or 40 feet tall is being constructed or demolished, an OSHA 30-trained site safety supervisor must be on site whenever the site is active.

Violation Data Report

AIU issued $65,000 in license violation fines between 10/13/24 and 11/13/24. The following violations and citations were issued:

• Failure to add all subcontractors to a permit: $6,000
• Working without a valid license: $5,000
• Failure to cooperate with the audit investigation: $3,000
• Failure to maintain insurance: $5,000
• Failure to comply with the Philadelphia Code: $2,000
• Required conduct contractor: $2,000
• Working without the required permit: $3,000
• Hired an unlicensed subcontractor: $12,000
• Worker without OSHA certification: $23,000
• Required conduct inspection agency: $1,500
• Working without required inspections: $3,000

Fire Escapes

• Reinspection fees: $1,150
• Court fines: $200



AIU will continue to follow up and monitor contractors' activities.

Reminders

Adoption of the 2021 I-Codes

It is anticipated that the 2021 I-Codes, with state and local modifications, will become effective in July 2025. Beginning in January 2026, all new permit applications must conform to the 2021 I-Codes.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Review and Advisory Council has issued the 2021 ICC Code Adoption Final Report. Please review this report for modifications to the 2021 I-Codes, to be adopted throughout Pennsylvania as part of the Uniform Construction Code.

Stay tuned for notices regarding adopting ordinances, proposed changes, information sessions and updated forms and documents as we prepare for the transition.



The review and adoption of construction codes is a continuous process. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Review and Advisory Council will begin accepting public comment on the 2024 I-Codes in Fall 2025. Look out for updates on the Council’s web page. You can view the 2024 I-Codes on the track development of future code editions through ICC’s website, www.iccsafe.org.

Free OSHA Safety Consultation

Employers can receive no-cost safety, health and industrial hygiene evaluations by signing up for a program run by Indiana University of Pennsylvania's (IUP) Safety Sciences Department.



Through the PA OSHA Consultation Program, IUP consultants conduct occupational safety and health evaluations and work with business owners to address issues. The on-site visits are confidential since the program operates independently from OSHA's regulation enforcement.

Upcoming Changes at L&I

Check Out L&I's YouTube Channel

We're on LinkedIn!

QOL|ISC

{Click here to view as webpage}