OSHA Inspection: EFREN VILLARUELA

Issued

May 1, 2012

Abate by

May 8, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $3,000

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.    Efren Villaruela had employees exposed to fall hazards, struck-by hazards in the eyes, and electrical hazards on a construction site just north of Homer, Illinois.  The employer did not have an effective safety and health program with specific work rules, competent person oversight, and employee training to govern employees activities.

Issued

May 1, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2):     Such programs shall provide for frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, materials, and equipment to be made by competent persons designated by the employers.    Efren Villaruela had employees exposed to fall hazards, struck-by hazards in the eyes, and electrical hazards on a construction site just north of Homer, Illinois.  The employer did not have a competent person at the construction site, who was competent in safety rules and requirements, in order to conduct frequent and periodic safety inspections at the construction site.

Issued

May 1, 2012

Abate by

May 8, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $3,000

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.     Efren Villaruela had employees exposed to struck-by hazards in the eyes from the use of pneumatic guns without eye protection, on a construction site just north of Homer, Illinois.  The employer did not provide employee safety training in order to provide the employees with the knowledge to recognize construction safety hazards, as well as the procedures to follow in order to minimize or eliminate those safety hazards.

Issued

May 1, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.102(a)(1):     Employees shall be provided with eye and face protection equipment when machines or operations present potential eye or face injury from physical, chemical, or radiation agents.    Efren Villaruela had employees exposed to struck-by hazards in the eyes from the use of pneumatic guns without eye protection, on a construction site just north of Homer, Illinois.

Issued

May 1, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $3,000

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.    Efren Villaruela had employees exposed electrical hazards from the use of extension cords for electrical power without the use of a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) or an assured equipment grounding conductor program, on a construction site just north of Homer, Illinois.

Issued

May 1, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $3,600

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 provision in paragraph (b) of this section provides for an alternative fall protection measure. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements 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 fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.    Efren Villaruela had employees exposed to 8 ft., 10 in. fall hazards without fall protection, on a construction site just north of Homer, Illinois.

Issued

May 1, 2012

Abate by

May 8, 2012

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 fall hazards. The program shall enable each employee to recognize the hazards of falling and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards.    Efren Villaruela had employees exposed to 8 ft., 10 in. fall hazards without fall protection, on a construction site just north of Homer, Illinois.   The employer did not provide construction safety training to employees, in order to provide them with the knowledge necessary to recognize the hazards of falling and the safety requirements associated with fall protection, as well as the proper work procedures to follow, in order to minimize and eliminate the fall hazards.

Issued

May 1, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $2,400

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.    Efren Villaruela had employees exposed to 8 ft., 10 in. fall hazards, while accessing and exiting the roof via an extension ladder that only extended 1.5 ft. above the upper landing surface of the roof, on a construction site just north of Homer, IL.

Issued

May 1, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1060(a):     The employer shall provide a training program for each employee using ladders and stairways, as necessary. The program shall enable each employee to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways, and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards.    Efren Villaruela had employees exposed to 8 ft., 10 in. fall hazards, while accessing and exiting the roof via an extension ladder that only extended 1.5 ft. above the upper landing surface of the roof, on a construction site just north of Homer, IL.    The employer did not provide construction safety training to employees, in order to provide them with the knowledge necessary to recognize the hazards related to ladders, as well as the proper work procedures to follow, in order to minimize and eliminate these hazards.  This training would include:    a.	The nature of fall hazards in the work area,   b.	The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems to be used,  c.	The proper construction use, placement, and care in handling of all ladders,  d.	The maximum intended load carrying capacities of ladders, and   e.	The standards contained in this subpart, Subpart X  Stairways and Ladders.