OSHA Inspection: HG NORTHEAST, INC.

Issued

Jan 29, 2014

Abate by

Feb 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,020 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employers did not develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training were met (Referenced in 29 CFR 1926.59):   At the project on or about November 6, 2013, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program. Employees that used Sheetrock Lightweighting Type Joint Compound and Custom Blend Standard Thin-Set Mortar. Both products contained portland cement. The employees also used DAP Painter's Acrylic Latex Caulk.

Issued

Jan 29, 2014

Abate by

Feb 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,020 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not ensure that material safety data sheets were readily accessible to the employees in their work area during each work shift. (This provision is applicable to construction employment by 29 CFR 1926.59.):   At the project on or about November 6, 2013, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure material safety data sheets were readily accessible to employees at the site for Sheetrock Lightweighting Type Joint Compound, Custom Blend Standard Thin-Set Mortar, and DAP Painter's Acrylic Latex Caulk.

Issued

Jan 29, 2014

Abate by

Feb 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,020 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1) referenced by 29 CFR 1926.59: The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about was introduced into their work area:   At the project on or about November 6, 2013, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not provide effective information and training on Sheetrock Lightweighting Type Joint Compound, Custom Blend Standard Thin-Set Mortar, and DAP Painter's Acrylic Latex Caulk. Employees said they did not know they needed to wear gloves and eye protection while mixing or using the products and to wash the products off their skin in the event of skin contact and out of their eyes in the event of eye contact.

Issued

Jan 29, 2014

Abate by

Feb 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,020 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2): The employer failed to initiate and maintain programs that provided for frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, materials, and equipment were made by competent persons designated by the employer:   At the project on or about November 6, 2013, and at times prior thereto, the employer failed to ensure the job site was inspected or the job site was inspected by a competent person as there were toilets onsite, there were no washing facilities, and employees did not know appropriate personal protective equipment or first aid procedures for the products they used onsite.

Issued

Jan 29, 2014

Abate by

Feb 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,020 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.51(c)(1): Toilets were not provided for employees:  At the project on or about November 6, 2013, and at times prior thereto, there were no toilets onsite. Employees did not travel from site to site during the day. They stayed onsite for the duration of the work shift.

Issued

Jan 29, 2014

Abate by

Feb 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,020 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.51(f)(1): The employer did not provide adequate washing facilities for employees engaged in the application of paints, coating, herbicides, or insecticides, or in other operations where contaminants may be harmful to the employees. Such facilities were not in near proximity to the worksite and were not so equipped as to enable employees to remove such substances.   At the project on or about November 6, 2013, and at times prior thereto, adequate washing facilities were not provided for employees that used Sheetrock Lightweighting Type Joint Compound and Custom Blend Standard Thin-Set Mortar. Both products contained portland cement and the warning labels said to wash off skin with soap and water. Soap was not provided or available onsite. Towels or other drying methods were not provided. Employees had the products on their fingers and hands.

Issued

Jan 29, 2014

Abate by

Feb 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,020 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.95(a): Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, were not provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it was necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact:   At the project on or about November 6, 2013, and at times prior thereto, hand protection was not worn while mixing or applying Sheetrock Lightweighting Type Joint Compound, Custom Blend Standard Thin-Set Mortar, and DAP Painter's Acrylic Latex Caulk. The warning labels say to use hand protection. Cotton gloves were onsite, but there were no gloves made of rubber, butyl or nitrile.

Issued

Jan 29, 2014

Abate by

Feb 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,020 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.405(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords were not used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap:   At the project on or about November 6, 2013, and at times prior thereto, the cord was spliced that powered a 110 VAC drill used to mix mortar in a five gallon bucket.