OSHA Inspection: ENGLEMAN STEEL ERECTION, INC.

Issued

Dec 18, 2003

Abate by

Dec 24, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,500 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 was free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that
employees were exposed to a fall hazards while manually placing decking in
a manner that
created a fall hazard:
(a)On the fourth floor, in Building D (south building) on November 4, 2003
employees working in a controlled decking zone aligning deck sheets to the
edge of an elevator shaft were exposed to a fall of more than 36 feet by
lifting
a precut deck sheet over a vent pipe obstruction.  This created a tripping
hazard and also placed the employees in a position that exposed them to a
fall
hazard that would have been prevented if the employees had placed the deck
while kneeling safely on the previous placed deck surface and sliding the
new
piece of decking into place, thereby, extending the leading edge.   wide
top plate.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this
hazard is to incorporate the guidance of the Steel Deck Institute Manual of
Construction with Steel Deck, namely:  As the deck sheets are placed, one
edge of
deck will always be "open" or leading. This leading edge should only be
approached
in order to place the next sheet. Workers should also maintain a safe
distance ( 6 feet
if possible ) from the edge of the deck unit. When aligning the edge (
side ) lap, the
worker should kneel.  Kneeling lowers his center of gravity and decreases
the chances
of falling over the leading edge.  In addition, obstructions, such as but
not limited to
pipe penetrations shall not be allowed until after the controlled decking
operation has
been completed, and this section has been turned over to other trade
contractors for
work.
Note: Abatement certification and supporting documentation are required
for this item.

Issued

Dec 18, 2003

Abate by

Dec 24, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

Issued

Dec 18, 2003

Abate by

Dec 24, 2003