OSHA Inspection: S.J. LOUIS CONSTRUCTION OF TEXAS LTD.

Issued

Jul 22, 2013

Abate by

Jul 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,600 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace.     On or about 28 January 2013, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that medical evaluations were provided to employees working within the Waller Creek Tunnel Project who were required to wear tight-fitting respirators including, but not limited to, 3M 6000 Series Half Facepiece Respirators with cartridges, while performing excavation operations.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure employees are given a medical evaluation prior to utilizing a tight-fitting respirator.

Issued

Jul 22, 2013

Abate by

Jul 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).    On or about 24 January 2013, and at times prior thereto, the employer allowed employees working within the Waller Creek Tunnel Project to operate a Caterpillar Telehandler Forklift, model TL642, to lift and move loads within the tunnel without successfully completing a combination of formal instruction, practical training, and evaluation of the operator's performance, exposing the employees to struck by hazards while working on and near the forklift.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure employees receive formal instruction, practical training, and an evaluation in order to certify operators prior to operating a forklift.

Issued

Jul 22, 2013

Abate by

Jul 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2): The employer did not initiate and maintain a safety program which provides for frequent and regular inspections of jobsites, materials, and equipment to be made by a competent person.     On or about 24 January 2013, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that ring steel was inspected by a competent person prior to being assembled and installed by employees within the Waller Creek Tunnel Project, exposing employees to hazards such as, but not limited to being struck by falling materials and/or equipment.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that all materials and equipment are inspected frequently by a competent person.

Issued

Jul 22, 2013

Abate by

Jul 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2): The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury:     On or about 24 January 2013, and at times prior thereto, employees working within the Waller Creek Tunnel Project were not provided instruction on the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions while performing excavation and ring steel installation operations, exposing the employees to workplace hazards such as, but not limited to being struck by falling materials and/or equipment.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure employees receive instruction on the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions specific to the work being performed.

Issued

Jul 22, 2013

Abate by

Jul 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(ii): Modifications or additions affecting the safe operation of the equipment were made without the manufacturer's written approval.   On or about 24 January 2013, and at times prior thereto, employees were operating and working near a Caterpillar Telehandler Forklift, Model TL642, that was modified to lift loads of ring steel weighing approximately 1500 pounds. Employees flipped the fork tines over the backrest where they were facing the rear of the truck, which was in a manner that was not intended or approved by the manufacturer, exposing the employees to the hazard of being struck by a falling load.   Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure any modifications of powered industrial trucks which affects the capacity and safe operation of such to receive written approval from the manufacturer prior to use as modified.