OSHA Inspection: BENCHMARK EXTERIORS, LLC

Issued

Sep 10, 2014

Abate by

Oct 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2): The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.  At the site, workers engaged in a residential roof repair and were exposed to the following conditions did not recognize the hazards.       When hard hats were required to be worn

Issued

Sep 10, 2014

Abate by

Oct 6, 2014

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.  At the job site exposed employees were unable to recognize when fall protection is required. The employees were engaged in residential building roof repair.

Issued

Sep 10, 2014

Abate by

Oct 6, 2014

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.  At the job site exposed employees were unable to recognize proper positioning of ladder. The workers were using a ladder that was not extended three feet above the eave of the roof.

Issued

Sep 10, 2014

Abate by

Oct 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $240 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.100(a): Employees working in areas where there is a possible danger of head injury from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns, shall be protected by protective helmets.  At the job site exposed employees picking up roofing debris were not wearing hardhats while roofers were removing debris from the roof.

Issued

Sep 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $560 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.   At the construction site, exposed employees were removing pre-existing roofing material from a residential roof.    -The slope of the roof was measured at approximately 30 degrees from the horizontal or 7/12 slope.    -The ground to eave height was approximately 15 feet.   - Conventional fall protection measures were not utilized.

Issued

Sep 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $560 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.  At the job site, exposed employees were using a ladder whose top end did not extend 3 feet above the landing/eave. the workers were using the ladder to access the roof a residential building.