OSHA Inspection: RAMON KOCHER

Issued

Aug 16, 2013

Abate by

Aug 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13): "Residential construction." Each employee engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system unless another provision in paragraph (b) of this section provides for an alternative fall protection measure. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502. Note: There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above-listed fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.  Ramon Kocher had employees exposed to 9 ft., 4 in. fall hazards without fall protection, on a residential construction site in Newton, Illinois.

Issued

Aug 16, 2013

Abate by

Aug 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.503(a)(1): The employer shall provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards. The program shall enable each employee to recognize the hazards of falling and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards.   Ramon Kocher had employees exposed to 9 ft., 4 in. fall hazards without fall protection, on a residential construction site in Newton, Illinois.    The employer did not provide construction safety training to employees, in order to provide them with the knowledge necessary to recognize the hazards of falling and the safety requirements associated with fall protection, as well as the proper work procedures to follow, in order to minimize and eliminate the fall hazards.

Issued

Aug 16, 2013

Abate by

Aug 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $0 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.   Ramon Kocher had employees exposed to 9 ft., 4 in. fall hazards, while accessing and exiting the roof via an extension ladder that only extended 1.5 ft. above the upper landing surface of the roof, on a residential construction site in Newton, Illinois.

Issued

Aug 16, 2013

Abate by

Aug 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1060(a): The employer shall provide a training program for each employee using ladders and stairways, as necessary. The program shall enable each employee to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways, and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards.   Ramon Kocher had employees exposed to 9 ft., 4 in. fall hazards, while accessing and exiting the roof via an extension ladder that only extended 1.5 ft. above the upper landing surface of the roof, on a residential construction site in Newton, Illinois.    The employer did not provide construction safety training to employees, in order to provide them with the knowledge necessary to recognize the hazards related to ladders, as well as the proper work procedures to follow, in order to minimize and eliminate theses hazards.  This training would include:      The nature of fall hazards in the work area,  The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems to be used, The proper construction use, placement, and care in handling of all ladders, The maximum intended load carrying capacities of ladders, and  The standards contained in this subpart, Subpart X  Stairways and Ladders.