OSHA Inspection: MODERN ROOFING

Issued

Oct 12, 2011

Abate by

Oct 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13): "Residential construction." Each employee engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet(1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system unless another provisionin paragraph (b) of this section provides for an alternative fall protection measure. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it isinfeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets therequirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502.Note: There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above-listed fallprotection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complieswith 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.    On or about 10/04/11 during roofing operations, employees were installing shingles on a 2 story house and the fall height was determined to be 9 feet 5inches. There was one slide guard nailed right above the gutter but this was not adequate for fall protection. The pitch was determined to be a 10/12.

Issued

Oct 12, 2011

Abate by

Oct 17, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.503(a)(1): The employer shall provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fallhazards. The program shall enable each employee to recognize the hazards of falling and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed inorder to minimize these hazards.    On or about 10/04/11 during roofing operations, employees were installing shingles on a 2 story house. There was inadequate fall protection for employees. The employees stated they were not trained on how to recognize when fall protection was needed and what the rules were.

Issued

Oct 12, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1): When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder shall be secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grabrail, shall be provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder.  In no case shall the extension be such that ladder deflection under a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip off its support.    On or about 10/04/11 during roofing operations, the employees climbed a portable ladder to reach another level and the ladder was not extended three feet above the next level and was not tied off.