OSHA Inspection: STERLING EQUIPMENT, INC

Issued

Sep 27, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.605(d)(3):  Employees walking or working on the unguarded decks of barges were not protected with U.S. Coast Guard-approved work vests or buoyant vests:  a)  Long Slip, On the Water, On the Barges Randy R and The Margaret, Jersey City, NJ.  Employees working on the spud barges and crossing between the 2 barges on the sheet pile temporary platform, were not protected by their buoyant vests in that they were not zipped or otherwise secured.                                                                                                              Violation observed on or about 05/07/2013.

Issued

Sep 27, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1437(c)(2):    The employer did not:  Erect and maintain control lines, warning lines, railings or similar barriers to mark the boundaries of the hazard areas; or Clearly mark the hazard areas by a combination of warning signs (such as, "Danger-Swing/Crush Zone") and high visibility markings on the equipment that identify the hazard areas.  In addition, the employer must train each employee to understand what these markings signify.  a)  Long Slip, On the Water, On the Barges Randy R and The Margaret, Jersey City, NJ.  Employees working on the spud barges in the vicinity of the Manitowoc cranes were in danger of struck-by injuries as the employer had not provided for the cranes' Swing/Crush Zones to be guarded as specified in the regulation.                                                            Violation observed on or about 05/07/2013.

Issued

Sep 27, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,310 · Current $1,617 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1437(e)(1):      Barge, pontoon, vessel or other means of flotation did not have a list and trim device located in the cab or at the operator's station.      a)  Long Slip, On the Water, On the Barges Randy R and The Margaret, Jersey City, NJ.    The spud barges which were the means of floatation for the Manitowoc cranes did not have list and trim devices located in the cabs or at the operators' stations exposing workers to injury from crane instability.                                                     Violation observed on or about 05/07/2013.

Issued

Sep 27, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,773 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1437(n)(5)(i):    The crane/derrick was not physically attached to the barge, pontoons, vessel or other means of flotation.  a)  Long Slip, On the Water, On the Barges Randy R and The Margaret, Jersey City, NJ.  The employer did not ensure the Manitowoc hydraulic lattice boom crawler cranes were physically attached to the barges nor were other options of this standard in use to protect employees from the danger of the crane toppling into the water.                                                    Violation observed on or about 05/07/2013.