OSHA Inspection: VAN NEST CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Issued

Mar 20, 2013

Abate by

Mar 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.25(a): During the course of construction, alteration, or repairs, form and scrap lumber with protruding nails, and all other debris, shall be kept cleared from work areas, passageways, and stairs, in and around buildings or other structures:    On or about 3/6/2013, Front Entrance    a) The employees used the front entrance to gain access to the house. There was debris such as bags of cement, paper and wood.

Issued

Mar 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(9): The area around the top and bottom of ladders shall be kept clear:    On or about 3/6/2013, 2nd Floor      a) The employees used the ladder to gain access to the uppper floor. There was a vertical wood support obstructing the ladder.

Issued

Mar 20, 2013

Abate by

Mar 20, 2013

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1): "Unprotected sides and edges." Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems:    On or about 3/6/2013, 2nd Floor    a) The employee retrieved material near the unprotected edge. The opening measured 11' wide and 16' to the ground below.

Issued

Mar 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(14): "Wall openings." Each employee working on, at, above, or near wall openings (including those with chutes attached) where the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working surface, shall be protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or a personal fall arrest system:    On or about 3/6/2013    a) The three window openings were not guarded. The inside bottom edge of the wall opening was 24".

Issued

Mar 20, 2013

Abate by

Mar 20, 2013

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1): When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder shall be secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grabrail, shall be provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder. In no case shall the extension be such that ladder deflection under a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip off its support:    On or about 3/6/2013, 1st and 2nd Floors    a) The two ladders used to gain access to the upper floors were not secured and did not extend 3' above the landing.

Issued

Mar 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(16): Portable ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or other faulty or defective components, shall either be immediately marked in a manner that readily identifies them as defective, or be tagged with "Do Not Use" or similar language, and shall be withdrawn from service until repaired:    On or about 3/6/2013, 2nd Floor    a) The 7' wood ladder had broken wood and was missing the blocks between the rungs.

Issued

Mar 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.502(i)(3): All covers shall be secured when installed so as to prevent accidental displacement by the wind, equipment, or employees:    On or about 3/6/2013, 1st and 2nd Floor    a) The openings were covered with plywood and wood planks. They were not secured in place.

Issued

Mar 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.502(i)(4): All covers shall be color coded or they shall be marked with the word "HOLE" or "COVER" to provide warning of the hazard.    Note: This provision does not apply to cast iron manhole covers or steel grates used on streets or roadways.    On or about 3/6/2013, 1st and 2nd Floor    a) The plywood and wood planks were not marked to alert employees of the hazard.