OSHA Inspection: NEW HO XIN DEVELOPMENT INC.

Issued

Jun 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(a)(1): Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5) and (g) of this section, each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.    a) Cellar level, northeast side:    Four employees were working from a 2-plank supported scaffold platform, which was one frame high. The outer plank of the platform broke as the employees were manually lifting a steel lintel. The scaffold and its components were not designed and capable of supporting their own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load without failure. On or about 04/18/12.    Note:  Because abatement of this violation is already documented in the inspection case file, the employer need not submit certification of abatement for this violation as normally required by 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(b)(1): Each platform on all working levels of scaffolds shall be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports.    a) Cellar level, northeast side:    Employees were working on the platforms of 1-frame-high supported scaffolds. The working platforms were not fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports. On or about 04/18/12.    Note:  Because abatement of this violation is already documented in the inspection case file, the employer need not submit certification of abatement for this violation as normally required by 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(b)(7): On scaffolds where platforms are overlapped to create a long platform, the overlap shall occur only over supports, and shall not be less than 12 inches (30 cm) unless the platforms are nailed together or otherwise restrained to prevent movement.    a) Cellar level, northeast side:    Four employees were working from a 2-plank supported scaffold platform, which was one frame high and overlapped two other supported scaffold platforms at each end. The overlap did not occur over scaffold supports. On or about 04/18/12.    Note:  Because abatement of this violation is already documented in the inspection case file, the employer need not submit certification of abatement for this violation as normally required by 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 27, 2012

Abate by

Jul 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(f)(7): Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person.    a) Cellar level, northeast side:    Employees erected four 1-frame-high supported scaffold, which were used to build CMU walls with cinder blocks for an elevator shaft. The scaffolds were not erected under the supervision and direction of a competent person.  The employer did not have a competent person on site for the scaffold erection. On or about 04/18/12.    NOTE:  IN ADDITION TO CERTIFICATION OF ABATEMENT, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION OF ABATEMENT FOR THIS ITEM.  FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1,000 AS PER 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 27, 2012

Abate by

Jul 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.454(a): The employer shall have each employee who performs work while on a scaffold trained by a person qualified in the subject matter to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards.    a) Jobsite:    The employer did not provide training to an employee who erected and worked from a scaffold built with wood beams supported by an A-frame step ladder, stair steps, and a window sill. Employee could not recognize hazards associated with scaffolds, and was exposed to hazards, including but not limited to: scaffold was supported by unstable objects, and scaffold supporting components were not capable of supporting their own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load. On or about 03/28/12.    NOTE:  IN ADDITION TO CERTIFICATION OF ABATEMENT, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION OF ABATEMENT FOR THIS ITEM.  FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1,000 AS PER 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1):  Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level. Paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (vii) of this section establish the types of fall protection to be provided to the employees on each type of scaffold. Paragraph (g)(2) of this section addresses fall protection for scaffold erectors and dismantlers.    a) Cellar level, northeast side:    Four employees were working from a 2-plank supported scaffold platform, which was one frame high, and were not protected from falling into an elevator shaft by the use of fall protection systems. Employees were exposed to falling approximately 11 feet. On or about 04/18/12.    Note:  Because abatement of this violation is already documented in the inspection case file, the employer need not submit certification of abatement for this violation as normally required by 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.452(c)(2): Frames and panels shall be braced by cross, horizontal, or diagonal braces, or combination thereof, which secure vertical members together laterally. The cross braces shall be of such length as will automatically square and align vertical members so that the erected scaffold is always plumb, level, and square. All brace connections shall be secured.    a) Cellar level, northeast side:    Employees were constructing CMU walls with cinder blocks while working from 1-frame-high fabricated frame scaffolds. The scaffold frames were not braced together to secure vertical members laterally. A set of cross bracing was missing from each scaffold. On or about 04/18/12.    Note:  Because abatement of this violation is already documented in the inspection case file, the employer need not submit certification of abatement for this violation as normally required by 29 CFR 1903.19.