OSHA Inspection: KCH MECHANICAL, INC.

Issued

Dec 29, 2011

Abate by

Mar 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(1):     It shall be the responsibility of the employer to initiate and maintain such programs as may be necessary to comply with this part.    KCH Mechanical, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards on a residential construction site in Effingham, Illinois. The employer did not have an effective safety program with specific work rules, competent person oversight, and employee training to govern employees' activities.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM

Issued

Dec 29, 2011

Abate by

Mar 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2):     The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.      KCH Mechanical, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards on a residential construction site in Effingham, Illinois. The employer did not provide construction safety training to employees, in order to provide them with knowledge on the applicable safety rules and requirements as well as the proper work procedures to follow, in order to minimize and eliminate safety construction hazards.  		ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM

Issued

Dec 29, 2011

Abate by

Dec 30, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.307(d)(1):     "Guarding."  Pulleys, any parts of which are 7 feet (2.128 m) or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.  Pulleys serving as balance wheels(e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than 6 ft., 6 in. (1.976 m) from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes.      KCH Mechanical, Inc. had employees exposed to unguarded ingoing nip points of a pulley on a furnace blower/fan, on a residential construction site in Effingham, Illinois.    		ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM

Issued

Dec 29, 2011

Abate by

Dec 30, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.307(e)(1)(i):     Where both runs of horizontal belts are 7 feet (2.128 m) or less from the floor level, the guard shall extend to at least 15 inches (38.1 cm) above the belt or to a standard height, except that where both runs of a horizontal belt are 42 inches (106.68 cm) or less from the floor, the belt shall be fully enclosed.      KCH Mechanical, Inc. had employees exposed to unguarded ingoing nip points on a belt of a furnace blower/fan, on a residential construction site in Effingham, Illinois.      		ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM

Issued

Dec 29, 2011

Abate by

Dec 30, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.403(b)(1):     Examination. The employer shall ensure that electrical equipment is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.      KCH Mechanical, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards from the use of a furnace blower/fan, on a residential construction site in Effingham, Illinois. The employer did not ensure that electrical equipment was free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Issued

Dec 29, 2011

Abate by

Dec 30, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.405(g)(2)(iii):     Splices. Flexible cords shall be used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap. Hardservice flexible cords No. 12 or larger may be repaired if spliced so that the splice retains the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord being spliced.      KCH Mechanical, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards from the use of a furnace blower/fan, on a residential construction site in Effingham, Illinois. The employer had the electrical motor wiring of the furnace blower/fan spliced into a flexible cord, which was plugged into the two extension cords for electrical power.

Issued

Dec 29, 2011

Abate by

Dec 30, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.405(g)(2)(iv):     Strain relief. Flexible cords shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided, which will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.    KCH Mechanical, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards from the use of a furnace blower/fan, on a residential construction site in Effingham, Illinois. The equipment was provided electrical power thru an electrical extension cord that did not have adequate strain relief at the plug end.

Issued

Dec 29, 2011

Abate by

Dec 30, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(i):     General. The employer shall use either ground fault circuit interrupters as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section or an assured equipment grounding conductor program as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section to protect employees on construction sites. These requirements are in addition to any other requirements for equipment grounding conductors.    KCH Mechanical, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards from the use of a furnace blower/fan, on a residential construction site in Effingham, Illinois. The employer was using extension cords for electrical power, and the employer did not utilize ground fault protection, thru either ground fault circuit interrupters or an assured equipment grounding conductor program.

Issued

Dec 29, 2011

Abate by

Dec 30, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.416(e)(1):     Worn or frayed electric cords or cables shall not be used.    KCH Mechanical, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards from the use of a furnace blower/fan, on a residential construction site in Effingham, Illinois. For electrical power, the employer utilized an extension cord that had worn and cut outer insulation.