OSHA Inspection: ORTA CONSTRUCTION

Issued

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,236 · Current $2,495 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(i): General. The employer shall use either ground fault circuit interrupters as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section or an assured equipment grounding conductor program as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section to protect employees on construction sites. These requirements are in addition to any other requirements for equipment grounding conductors.    a. The employer did not have GFCI or an assured ground program for flexible cords used on the jobsite, thereby exposing employees to an electrical hazard.

Issued

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.404(f)(6): Grounding path. The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures shall be permanent and continuous.  a. The employer was using an extension cord to power the circular saw, the extension cord was missing the ground pin, thereby exposing employees to an electrical hazard.

Issued

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $8,730 · Current $3,492 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(I): Flexible cords and cables shall be protected from damage. Sharp corners and projections shall be avoided. Flexible cords and cables may pass through doorways or other pinch points, if protection is provided to avoid damage.  a. On August 2, 2016, on the west end of the second floor, employees were operating a circular was with a damaged flexible cord, thereby exposing employees to an electrical hazard.

Issued

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.405(g)(2)(iv): Strain relief. Flexible cords shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided which will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.  a. The extension cord used to energize the Makita circular saw on the west end of the second floor was not provided with strain relief, thereby exposing employees to an electrical hazard.

Issued

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,236 · Current $2,494 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.  a. On August 2, 2016, employees were observed working on a second floor balcony without fall protection, thereby exposing the employees to a fall hazard of 12 feet.