OSHA Inspection: T.H. CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Issued

Oct 29, 2012

Abate by

Nov 13, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees    The employer is failing to protect employees from potential struck by hazards when working around the drill set of a horizontal directional drill.  This most recently occurred on a job site located at NE Corner of Bennet Rd and 190th Street, Bennet, NE 68317, where the employer has employees working with the drill set, such as removing the end cap in preparation of adding additional drill rods, without first ensuring procedures are in place to prevent the unexpected startup of the vermeer D60x90 horizontal directional drill.    Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement are:    1.  The employer shall have the employees trained on the remote lockout device that comes with the Vermeer D60x90 and as it is recommended in operators manual for the Vermeer D60x90, mandate the employees take and utilize the remote lockout device anytime they are on the far side of the drilling process and are going to handle the drill rods that are connected to the drill set.        2.  If the remote lockout device is malfunctioning or will not communicate with the drill the employer shall have the exposed employees take the key from the machine with them to the far side of the drilling process while they are going to handle the drill rods that are connected to the drill set.

Issued

Oct 29, 2012

Abate by

Nov 13, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees    The employer is failing to protect employees from potential struck by hazards when working around the drill set of a horizontal directional drill set.  This most recently occurred on a job site located at NE Corner of Bennet Rd and 190th Street, Bennet, NE 68317, where the employer exposed employees to the release of stored energy, known  as rod wrap, when requiring employees to back ream a 1,200 foot hole without having attached a swivel behind the reamer, and then remove the end cap on the drill set with a 60 pipe wrench.    Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement are:    1.  When performing back reaming operations the employer shall use a back reamer with an internal swivel.        2.  When performing back reaming operations and the back reamer does not have an internal swivel the employer shall install an external swivel.

Issued

Oct 29, 2012

Abate by

Jan 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.50(c):     In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, hospital, or physician, that is reasonably accessible in terms of time and distance to the worksite, which is available for the treatment of injured employees, a person who has a valid certificate in first-aid training from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the American Red Cross, or equivalent training that can be verified by documentary evidence, shall be available at the worksite to render first aid.    The employer is failing to provide employees with immediate medical treatment in the event of an injury as required in this subpart.  This was most recently evident during the inspection of the facility located at NE Corner of Bennet Rd and 190th Street, Bennet, NE 68317, where the employer has employees working on a remote construction site where the nearest medical assistance was greater than 10 minute response time and there was not a certified first aid trained employee or personnel on the job site in the event of an employee was injured and required treatment as was seen in this fatality accident.