OSHA Inspection: HIGH BALL ERECTORS, LLC

Issued

Oct 31, 2012

Abate by

Nov 21, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,700

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.752(b):  A steel erection contractor erected steel without receiving written notification that the concrete in the footings, piers and walls and the mortar in the masonry piers and walls had attained, on the basis of an appropriate ASTM standard test method of field cured samples, either 75 percent of the intended minimum compressive design strength or sufficient strength to support the loads imposed during steel erection:    (a)  High Ball Erectors, LLC at 4743 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303:  On and before May 8, 2012, the steel erector contractor erected three cantilevered steel girders that connected to three steel columns. Between, and perpendicular to the girders, were steel joists. The columns were erected and connected onto a poured concrete foundation. This structure was erected without receiving written notification that the concrete in the footings, piers and walls and the mortar in the masonry piers and walls had attained, on the basis of an appropriate ASTM standard test method of field cured samples, either 75 percent of the intended minimum compressive design strength or sufficient strength to support the loads imposed during steel erection. This condition exposed steel erector employees to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Oct 31, 2012

Abate by

Nov 21, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.754(a):  Structural stability was not maintained at all times during the erection process:    (a)  High Ball Erectors, LLC at 4743 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303:  On May 8, 2012, the exposing employer did not ensure that structural stability was maintained at all times during the on-site erection of a self-supporting, steel entry canopy. Employees connected three cantilevered steel girders onto three steel columns. Between, and perpendicular to the girders, employees installed and bolted all but one remaining steel joist. Each girder was connected to its respective column by bolting and field-welding the shop-welded girder erection aid to the column. Backer bars were installed and field-welded at each column; however, the required moment welds were not made. Employees were in the process of installing the last joist when the canopy structure collapsed. The employer did not utilize shoring or other methods to stabilize the structure prior to welding the required moment connections. This condition resulted in one fatality and one employee being seriously injured due to the collapse of the structure.    (b)  High Ball Erectors, LLC at 4743 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303:  On May 8, 2012, the exposing employer did not ensure that structural stability was maintained at all times during the on-site erection of a self-supporting, steel entry canopy, in that the employer did not follow erection requirements set forth by the Structural Engineer of Record. As the base plates on the columns were raised off their foundation, double nuts were required on the anchor bolts. The employer installed two sets of nuts on two of the three columns, but on the third (easterly most) column, only one set of nuts had been installed. In addition, a single stack of shims was installed to support this third column. The lack of double nuts and the single stack of shims created a structurally unstable condition. This condition exposed employees to struck-by hazards.