OSHA Inspection: JAMES J. WELCH & CO., INC.

Issued

Jan 2, 2015

Abate by

Jan 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.403(b)(2): Listed, labeled, or certified equipment was not installed and/or used in accordance with instructions included in the listing, labeling, and/or certification:    The employer does not protect its employees from the hazards associated with the improper use of labeled and listed electrical equipment. This was most recently observed on or about July 11, 2014 at a worksite located at 15 Cottage St., Easthampton, MA in that employees were observed using portable Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) that were drawing power from extension cords which is contrary to the instructions printed on the devices that state, "DO NOT USE EXTENSION CORD TO CONNECT GFCI TO POWER RECEPTACLE":    (a) Powering  a drill and reciprocating saw on the roof   (b) Powering a circular on the second floor of this building.    To abate this violation, the employer must train its employees on the proper usage of electrical devices such as these, instruct their employees  to follow the instructions printed on devices they use in the course of their work, and monitor their employee to ensure that they are using electrical devices consistent with the labeling and listing for those devices.

Issued

Jan 2, 2015

Abate by

Jan 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,310 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15): Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment were not capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached:    The employer does not protect its employees from fall hazards inherent in performing roofing work. This was most recently observed on or about July 11, 2014 at a worksite located at 15 Cottage St., Easthampton, MA in that two employees working more than 25 feet above the ground below were attached to a reusable roof anchor on the roof, that was not capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds due to it being installed:    (a) without the required number of and specific type of attachment screws required for proper installation    (b) with more than 1 employee attached to the anchor    To abate this violation, the employer must provide proper instruction to its employees on how to install and use this type of anchorage and enforce that its employees are following those instructions when installing and using this type of equipment as part of their Personnel Fall Arrest System.

Issued

Jan 2, 2015

Abate by

Jan 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,234 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.503(a)(1): The employer did not provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards that shall enable each employee to recognize the hazards of falling and/or shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards:  a) The employer does not protect its employees from the fall hazards inherent in performing roofing work. This was most recently observed on or about July 11, 2014 at a worksite located at 15 Cottage St., Easthampton, MA in that James J. Welch & Co., Inc. failed to provide a training program for each employee who was exposed to fall hazards while roofing that would enable those employees to recognize those hazards and the procedures to be followed in order to minimize those hazards. To abate this violation, the employer must provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards while in their employ.  Specific abatement documentation that this violation has been corrected must be provided within 10 days of the abatement in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1).

Issued

Jan 2, 2015

Abate by

Jan 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.503(b)(1): The employer did not verify compliance with paragraph (a) of this section by preparing a written certification record.   a) The employer does not protect its employees from fall hazards inherent in performing roofing work. This was most recently observed on or about July 11, 2014 at a worksite located at 15 Cottage St., Easthampton, MA in that  James J. Welch & Co., Inc., did not verify compliance that fall protection training had been completed for employees exposed to fall hazards while performing roofing work by preparing a certification record documenting that the training was conducted. To abate this violation, the employer must prepare a written certification that verifies that fall protection training has been conducted which contains all of the elements required by this standard.     Specific abatement documentation that this violation has been corrected must be provided within 10 days of the abatement in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1).

Issued

Jan 2, 2015

Abate by

Jan 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $53,900 · Current $32,340 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(10): Each employee engaged in roofing activities on low-slope roofs, with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels was not protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or a combination of warning line system and guardrail system, warning line system and safety net system, or warning line system and personal fall arrest system, or warning line system and safety monitoring system:    The employer does not protect its employees from the fall hazards inherent in performing roofing work. This was most recently observed on or about July 11, 2014 at a worksite located at 15 Cottage St., Easthampton, MA in that several employees were observed working on the roof of this mill building without any fall protection:    (a) Two employees were working on the roof of buildings I, J and K more than 40 feet above the ground below without any fall protection    (b) Six employees were stripping the roof of building F more than 25 feet above the ground below without any fall protection.    To abate this violation, the employer must provide fall protection equipment to its employees, train them in its proper usage and enforce that usage when employee are exposed to falls in excess of 6 feet while engaged in roofing work.     Specific abatement documentation that this violation has been corrected must be provided within 10 days of the abatement in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1).

Issued

Jan 2, 2015

Abate by

Jan 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $26,950 · Current $16,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4)(i): Each employee on walking/working surfaces was not protected from falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6 feet (1.8 m) above lower levels, by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes:  a) The employer does not protect its employees from fall hazards when floors have openings and or are missing sections due to construction activities at a work site. This was most recently observed on or about July 11, 2014 at a worksite located on the second floor of building G at 15 Cottage St., Easthampton, MA in that  an employee was observed exposed to falls in excess of 10 feet to a lower level through unprotected and or insufficiently guarded floor holes  due to missing guarding at the floor opening he was observed looking through. Additionally, incomplete and insufficient guarding at the floor opening immediately adjacent to the rear of his work station was observed.  To abate this violation, the employer must train its employees on the proper procedures to be utilized when working around or near floor openings or holes, provide their employees with the necessary equipment to protect them from falling into those openings or holes and enforce the usage of that equipment or system when floor openings or holes are present at their worksites.   James J. Welch & Co., Inc. was previously cited for a repeat violation of a substantially similar occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1926.501 (b)(4)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 314731837, citation number 2, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on November 24, 2010, with respect to a workplace located at 79 Hollis St., Holliston, MA.  Specific abatement documentation that this violation has been corrected must be provided within 10 days of the abatement in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1).