OSHA Inspection: VORDONIA CONTRACTING & SUPPLIES CORP. / ALMA REALTY CORP.

Issued

May 31, 2013

Abate by

Jun 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,930 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.416(a)(3): When and where energized circuits existed, the employer failed to post and maintain proper warning signs, advise employees of the location, hazard involved and the proper protective measures to be taken:     (a) 14 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, NY (Worksite), north and east sides of building, second and third floors  Signs were not posted identifying the locations of the primary and secondary overhead power lines that were in close proximity to the building. In addition, the employer did not warn employees about the hazards or the proper protective measures to be taken when they worked in close proximity to the overhead power lines, at times prior to and including December 21, 2012.    Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

May 31, 2013

Abate by

Jun 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $69,300 · Current $53,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.416(a)(1): Employees were permitted to work in proximity to electric power circuits and were not protected against electric shock by de-energizing and grounding the circuits or effectively guarding the circuits by insulation or other means:      Instances (a) thru (d) are related to the overhead, 3-phase primary and secondary power lines and transformers, which were energized with 13,200 volts (13 kV) phase to phase. The overhead power lines run north and south, along the west side of Fourth Street with respect to the building under construction at 14 Brooklyn Avenue.    (a) Worksite, north and east sides of building, third floor - Employees that installed the Engineered Fall Protection System along the north and east sides of the third floor worked directly below the overhead primary power line, which was approximately 3 feet above their heads. The primary power lines were energized with 7,620 volts (7.5 kV) phase to ground, on December 3, 2012.      (b) Worksite, north and east sides of building, third floor - Employees constructed the masonry block wall directly below the overhead primary power line, which was energized with 7,620 volts (7.5 Kv) phase to ground. At times the employees were working approximately 12 inches below the power line, on or about December 4, 2012.    (c) Worksite, northeast corner of building, third floor - Employees constructed the masonry block wall between the overhead primary power lines and near the secondary power lines. The primary power lines were energized with 13,200 volts (13 Kv) phase to phase. The secondary power lines were energized with 120 - 240 volts phase to ground. At times, employees were working approximately 4 inches from the primary power lines and approximately 14 inches from the secondary power lines, on or about December 5, 2012.    (d) Worksite, north side of building, third floor - Employees constructed the masonry block wall around an overhead primary power line, which was energized with 7,620 volts (7.5 Kv) phase to ground. At times the employees were working approximately 4 inches from the power line, on or about December 5, 2012.          Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

May 31, 2013

Abate by

Jun 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $69,300 · Current $53,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1408(a)(2): The employer did not determine if any part of the equipment, load line or load (including rigging and lifting accessories), if operated up to the equipment's maximum working radius in the work zone, could get closer than 20 feet to a power line.     (a) Worksite, east side of building, third floor - Employees hoisted and set precast concrete floor planks with a Liebherr Mobile Crane, Model # LTM 1220-5.2 268 Ton, Serial # 070 495, where the rigging came within approximately 8 feet of the overhead primary and secondary power lines operating up to 13,200 volts (13 Kv) phase to phase, on or about December 1, 2012.      Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.