OSHA Inspection: STYLE CRAFT HOMES INC.

Issued

Oct 20, 1998

Abate by

Oct 24, 1998

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $315 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  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 employees
were exposed to falls from stepladders.
a) Northeast part or the plant - On or about 9/3/98, an employee stood on
the top step
of a Bauer 8 ft. fiberglass stepladder and climbed onto the top of a press
box that was
being constructed.  The employee was exposed to a fall of 8 ft. from the
top step of the
stepladder to the concrete floor.  In accordance with American National
Standard, For
Ladders - Portable Reinforced Plastic - Safety Requirements, ANSI
A14.5-1982, Section
9.3.2, Climbing and Working Locations, "The user shall not step or stand
on: (1) A
ladder top cap and the top step of a step or trestle ladder, or the bucket
or pail shelf of
a self-supporting ladder."  Among other methods, one feasible and
acceptable
abatement
method to correct this hazard is to provide all employees who use a ladder
with
appropriate ladder training in correct ladder use.  The ladder
manufacturer can provide
information on correct ladder use.
b) Southwest part of the plant, Building rafters - On or about 9/1/98, an
employee was
improperly using ladders by walking on two 25 ft. long metal scaffold
picks (Werner
Task Master decorator plank and scaffold plank) that were laying on the
rungs of three
8 ft. fiberglass stepladders.  The employee was removing bolts used to
attach a
rafters/roof section to the Spanmaster 2 ton cranes and was exposed to a
fall of
approximately 5 feet to the concrete floor.  In accordance with American
National
Standard, For Ladders - Portable Reinforced Plastic - Safety Requirements,
ANSI A
14.5-1982, Section 9.3.9, Improper Use, "A ladder shall not be used as a
brace, skid,
lever, guy or gin pole, gangway, platform, scaffold plank, material hoist,
or for any
other uses for which it was not intended, unless such use is specifically
recommended
by the manufacturer."  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable
abatement
method to correct this hazard is to provide employees with an appropriate
ladder.
ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIREDATION

Issued

Oct 20, 1998

Abate by

Nov 22, 1998