OSHA Inspection: BOONE BROTHERS ROOFING, INC.

Issued

Dec 10, 1999

Abate by

May 30, 2000

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:
On the Roof at the Construction Site at 10th & P Streets Lincoln, NE - The
employer
did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized
hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical
harm to employees
in that the employees were exposed to:  The hazard of being burned by or
caught in a
fire on the roof as evidenced by the following instances -
1)  The hazard of being burned by or caught in a fire caused by an asphalt
tar kettle
placed on the roof of the building.  This is  also a violation of NFPA
Section 1105.2.
By having the kettle on the roof the potential for a fire to occur is
greatly increased due
to the location of the heat source to any combustible materials on the
roof.
2)  The kettle was placed on the roof within 20' of the building wall,
combustible
materials on the roof, and a building opening.  This is also a violation
of NFPA 1105.5
which states - "Asphalt kettles shall not be located within 20' of any
combustible
material, combustible building surface or building opening."  The kettle
was placed in
an area in which fell under all of these criteria.
3)  The kettle that was being used to heat the tar being spread on the
roof was not
monitored by an attendant that was within 100 feet of the kettle at all
times during the
operation.  This is a violation of NFPA 1105.6 which states - "An
attendant shall be
within 100 feet of a kettle when the heat source is operating.  Ladders or
similar
obstacles shall not form part of the route between the attendant and the
kettle."  The
attendant was on the other side of the roof with a structure between him
and the kettle
with a winding hallway used as the access.
4)  The company routinely heats the asphalt tar at or above the
manufacturer's
recommended flashpoint of 540 degrees.  Through employees interviews it
was stated,
temperatures of as high as 575 degrees have been noticed in the past.
Once
the tar is
heated above 540 degrees it off gases Hydrogen Sulfide.  Hydrogen Sulfide
has an auto-
ignition point of 500 degrees and is highly flammable.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to control the
hazard is to:
1)  Utilizing the other kettle in which the company owns that is designed
to pump hot tar
up to the roof from ground level.  It is possible that if the kettle is
being used at another
site, that one of these kettles may have to be rented from a local rental
company.
2)  Having an attendant that is NOT a part of the work crew designated as
the kettle man
to monitor the kettle at all times.  By having this person watching the
kettle at all times,
the hazard of overheating will not be an issue.
3)  Ensuring that the area around the kettle is kept free of all
combustible material and
that the kettle is not positioned within 20' of any building or building
opening.4)  By making it company policy that at no time will the
manufacturer's recommended
temperature be exceeded for any reason.  This will help to ensure that
flash fire are
reduced and kept to a minimum.
Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this
violation. The
documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable
measurements
or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be
helpful. The
abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.

Issued

Dec 10, 1999

Abate by

May 30, 2000

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Dec 10, 1999

Abate by

May 30, 2000