OSHA Inspection: J. S. NORTHEAST CO. INC

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Dec 26, 2013

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazards of being struck by the bucket or attachments of the excavator:     a. On and before August 22, 2013, during excavation activities including but not limited to water line installation, J S Northeast Company Inc. exposed employees to struck- by hazards by not ensuring the Werk-Brau quick coupler was properly attached according to manufacturers guidelines. The quick coupler was missing the appropriate safety pins and not properly secured to the excavator arm of the Komatsu PC 120 hydraulic excavator.     b. On and before August 22, 2013, during excavation activities including but not limited to water line installation, J S Northeast Company Inc. exposed employees to struck- by hazards by not ensuring all buckets and attachments used with the Komatsu PC 120 hydraulic excavator were equipped with manufacturer recommended bolts and double nuts. Various buckets were observed on the job site that was missing nuts or bolts were replaced with bent rods/rebar.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $720 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.602(a)(9)(ii): Earth moving or compacting equipment which had an obstructed view to the rear was operated in reverse gear; such equipment did not have in operation a reverse signal alarm distinguishable from the surrounding noise level or did an employee signalled that it is safe to do so:     On or about August 22, 2013, during excavation activities including but not limited to water line installation, the employer did not ensure the Caterpillar 920 front end loader had a functioning reverse signal alarm. The employer did not institute any other protective practice to protect employees from struck-by hazards.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $720 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2): A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress was not located in trench excavations that were 4 feet (1.22m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62m) of lateral travel for employees:    On or about August 22, 2013, during excavation activities including but not limited to water line installation, the employer did not ensure a safe means of egress was provided to an employee within 25 feet of travel while working in an excavation that measured approximately 4.5 to 5.6 feet deep and approximately 8 feet long and 8 feet wide. The employer was installing a catch basin that was approximately 2 x 2 x 4 feet in dimension.