OSHA Inspection: ZACHRY GROUP, LLC

Issued

Jul 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to a fall hazards from a damaged fiberglass step ladder:   At this establishment, employees were replacing the cylinder of Coke Unit B work area and the employer did not provide an adequate and undamaged step ladder. The employees were exposed to fall hazards from a damaged 8 foot Werner fiberglass step ladder in Coke Unit B work area, such as but not limited to:   a) In coke unit B work area the employees stepped on the top step and the cap of an 8 foot fiberglass step ladder when performing work to replace a cylinder. The employees had been using the ladder in this manner for an overnight shift.  According to employee interviews the employees do routinely step on the top step and the cap as necessary. This is a customary and normal procedure the crew utilizes. As a result of this practice one employee did fall from the cap of the step ladder and suffered lacerations requiring sutures.    b) In coke unit B work area the employees were provided a damaged ladder for use. The cap of the step ladder had been deformed, and therefore the integrity of the ladder weakened, by having placed the cap against a hot surface. This action caused the plastic cap to melt in the shape of a circular shape, such as a hot pipe. This ladder had been provided by the host employer, Citgo Refining, but Zachary personnel either failed to inspect the ladder daily or were aware of the damage and decided to use the step ladder as it was.