OSHA Inspection: DUCKELS CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Issued

2010-04-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2010-06-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $7000.00

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish 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 struck by hazards:
(a)Duckels Construction, Inc. at 1855 Ski Times Square Drive, Steamboat
Springs,
CO 80487:  On or before October 9, 2009, the employer did not ensure each
employee was protected from the hazard of being struck by components of
pressurized pipe systems.  An employee was working in a 3' x 4' x 41"
precast
cement vault near a pressurized 2" copper blow-off pipe, also located in
the vault.
This vertical pressurized blow-off pipe was 5' long, projected 16" above
the ground,
and was capped with 2" Mueller 110 compression fitting, model H-15451.
When the
system was pressurized to retrieve water, the compression fitting blew off
the pipe
exposing employees to a struck by hazard. The Mueller compression fitting
was
not
designed for use above ground, nor with compressed air.
Among others, feasible and acceptable means of abatement include:
1. Install and use equipment in a manner that is in accordance with
manufacturers'
specifications.
2. Install a pressure relief device to prevent over-pressurization at the
compression
fitting.
3. Install a restraint device to prevent the release of the compression
fitting in the
event of mechanical failure of the fitting.
(b)Duckels Construction, Inc. at 1855 Ski Times Square Drive, Steamboat
Springs, CO 80487:  On or before October 9, 2009, the employer did not
ensure each
employee was protected from the hazard of being struck by components of
pressurized pipe systems.  An employee was working in a 3' x 4' x 41"
precast cement vault near a pressurized 2" copper blow-off pipe, also
located
in the vault.  This vertical pressurized blow-off pipe was 5' long,
projected
16" above the ground, and was capped with 2" Mueller 110 compression
fitting, model H-15451. When the system was pressurized to retrieve water,
the compression fitting blew off the pipe exposing employees to a struck by
hazard.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is to provide
training to all employees involved in the installation, maintenance or
repair of
pressrized piping systems. Training topics include, but are not limited to:
1. Hazards of compressed air, including procedures to bleed air from the
system prior
to pressurizing with fluid;
2. Proper installation techniques for compression fittings in above ground
applications, and;
3. Mehtods to identify when installation or design procedures deviate from
manufacturers' instructions, recognized industry practices and/or
applicable
industry standards. Abatement Note:  Abatement documentation and
certification are required for this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").