OSHA Inspection: REAL STUCCO

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

May 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,120 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(b)(1): Platform(s) on all working levels of scaffolds, were not fully planked or decked between the front uprights and guardrail supports such that the space between adjacent units, and the space between the platform and the uprights was no more than one inch wide except where the employer could demonstrate that a wider space was necessary.    A. On or about February 13, 2013, employees applying an EIFS product (exterior insulation and finishing system) to the exterior of a structure were exposed to a fall hazard.  Solid wooden planks did not completely fill in the upright space of the scaffold.  The fall distance to the ground was approximately 13.5 feet.    B. On or about February 13, 2013, employees applying an EIFS product (exterior finishing insulation system) to the exterior of a structure were exposed to a fall hazard.  A piece of plywood that spanned the gap between planks where the scaffold changed direction.  It was not as wide as the existing planked surface.  The fall distance to the ground was approximately 13.5 feet.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

May 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.452(c)(2): Tubular welded frame scaffold(s) were not properly braced by cross or diagonal braces, or both, to secure vertical members laterally and to align them so that the erected scaffold was plumb, square, and rigid:  On or about February 13, 2013, a mid-section of the scaffold, where wall mounted utility panels were located, lacked cross bracing on one or more levels to secure the vertical members together laterally.  Employees were exposed to a hazard of the scaffold collapsing.  The fall distance was approximately 13.5 feet from the working level to the concrete and soil surfaces below.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

May 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,120 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3): Scaffolds and scaffold components were not inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity.    Scaffolding had not been inspected by a competent person, who was trained to recognize deficiencies to ensure that it was set up properly, after it was moved to another portion of the building on February 13, 2013.  Employees were exposed to fall hazards as a result of deficiencies such as not being fully planked, guardrail deficiencies, and incomplete cross bracing.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

May 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.454(a): The employer did not have each employee who performed work on a scaffold be 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.  On or about February 13, 2013, employees who were working from scaffolds to apply EIFS (exterior insulation and finishing system) had not been trained on the hazards of working from scaffolds.  Fall hazards from scaffold deficiencies such as not being fully planked, guardrail deficiencies, and incomplete cross bracing existed at the time employees were working.  The fall distance from the working level was about 13.5 feet.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

May 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.454(b): The employer did not have each employee who was involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold trained by a competent person to recognize any hazards associated with the work in question.  On or about February 13, 2013, employees who were working from scaffolds to apply EIFS (exterior insulation and finishing system) also assembled, and disassembled the scaffolds.  Employees had not been trained on the techniques associated with scaffold work.  Fall hazards from scaffold deficiencies such as not being fully planked, guardrail deficiencies, and incomplete cross bracing existed at the time employees were working.  The fall distance from the working level was about 13.5 feet.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

May 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,120 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1)(vii):   Each employee on a scaffold, not otherwise specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (g)(1)(vi) of this section, more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above lower level was not protected from falls by the use of personal fall arrest systems or guardrail systems meeting the requirements of paragraph (g)(4) of this section.      A.  On or about February 13, 2013, employees were exposed to a fall hazard while they performed EIFS (exterior insulation and finishing system) work from a scaffold without being restrained from a fall by a guardrail system or by a personal fall arrest system.  The area of unguarded platform was located on the west end of the scaffold where it extended beyond the corner of the building on the southwest side.  Employees were exposed to a fall hazard at a distance approximately 13.5 feet to the concrete and soil surfaces below.    B.  On or about February 13, 2013, employees were exposed to a fall hazard while they performed EIFS (exterior insulation and finishing system) work from a scaffold without being restrained from a fall by a guardrail system or by a personal fall arrest system.  The area of unguarded platform was located towards the east end of the scaffold near the southeast corner of the building where a section of top railing was missing.  Employees were exposed to a fall hazard at a distance approximately 13.5 feet to the concrete and soil surfaces below.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

May 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(vii): Each top rail or equivalent member of a guardrail system was not capable of withstanding, without failure, a force applied in any downward or horizontal direction at any point along its top edge of at least 200 pounds for guardrail systems installed on scaffolds other than single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds.  On or about February 13, 2013, employees were exposed to a fall hazard while they performed EIFS (exterior insulation and finishing system) work from a scaffold.  Wood sawn boards were used in some areas of the scaffold that was built along the backside (south side) of the building.  The boards, some of which were cracked, were loosely tied to the scaffold uprights with wire so as not to be secure during a fall event with a distance approximately 13.5 feet to the concrete and soil surfaces below.