OSHA Inspection: MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, INC.

Issued

May 17, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $8,873

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2):  The employer did not initiate and maintain a safety program which provides for frequent and regular inspections of jobsites, materials, and equipment to be made by a competent person (i.e., a person who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them):       (a)Mechanical Contractors, Inc. at 47333 104th St., Rosholt, SD 57260:  On and prior to January 9, 2017, the exposing employer did not ensure a safety program was developed and implemented for the work environment to include regular inspections of the job-site, materials, and equipment; conducted by a competent person. An employee working on a pipe rack system removing a 10 inch water cooling line, fell approximately 30 feet.  The exposing employer did not conduct competent person inspections to ensure employees had implemented an adequate fall protection system. This condition exposed employees to a fall hazard of approximately 30 feet to the ground below.        Abatement Note: OSHA defines a "competent" person as one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Issued

May 17, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $8,873

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1):  Each employee on a walking/working surface having an unprotected side or edge which was 6 feet or more above a lower level was not protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.       (a)Mechanical Contractors, Inc. at 47333 104th St., Rosholt, SD 57260:  On and prior to January 9, 2017, the exposing employer did not ensure each employee on a walking/working surface having an unprotected side or edge which was six feet or more above a lower level was protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or personal fall arrest system, in that, an employee engaged in the removal of abandoned cooling water pipes fell approximately 30 feet. An employee was straddled a 10 inch water cooling line in an attempt to reposition his lanyard to connect it to a picking eye when the employee fell. The water cooling pipe that was being removed was being stabilized by a come-along strap. This condition exposed the employee to a fall hazard of approximately 30 feet.

Issued

May 17, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:         (a)Mechanical Contractors, Inc. at 47333 104th St., Rosholt, SD 57260:  On and prior to January 9, 2017, the employer did not ensure that each employee engaged in removing abandoned operations were trained to recognize the hazards of working at elevation and the use of fall protection. Employees engaged in the removal of water cooling lines worked near the edge of the pipe rack system, without the use of an adequate fall protection system. This condition exposed employees to a fall in excess of 30 feet.         Abatement Note: The employer shall assure that each employee has been trained, as necessary, by a competent person qualified in the following areas:        a)      The nature of fall hazards in the work area;   b)      The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting the fall protection systems to be used;    c)      The use and operation of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, warning line systems, safety monitoring systems, controlled access zones, and other protection to be used;   d)     The role of each employee in the safety monitoring system when this system is used;   e)      The limitations on the use of mechanical equipment during the performance of roofing work on low-sloped roofs;   f)       The correct procedures for the handling and storage of equipment and materials and the erection of overhead protection; and   g)      The role of employees in fall protection plans;    h)      The standards contained in this subpart.     Abatement Note: 1926.503(b)(1) provides that the employer shall verify compliance with paragraph (a) of this section by preparing a written certification record. The written certification record shall contain the name or other identity of the employee trained, the date(s) of the training, and the signature of the person who conducted the training or the signature of the employer. If the employer relies on training conducted by another employer or completed prior to the effective date of this section, the certification record shall indicate the date the employer determined the prior training was adequate rather than the date of actual training.

Issued

May 17, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $8,873

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15): Anchorages used for attachment for personal fall arrest equipment were not capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds per employee:      (a)Mechanical Contractors, Inc. at 47333 104th St., Rosholt, SD 57260:  On and prior to January 9, 2017, the exposing employer did not ensure that anchorage associated fall protective systems were adequate and would support an employee in the event of a fall. An employee attached the snaphook of his lanyard to a picking eye located on a 10 inch cooling water pipe that he was cutting. The cooling water pipe was being held in place by a come-along strap. In the event of a fall, the cooling water pipe that the employee was anchored to could have failed based on the proximity of the employee and the come-along failing, causing the employee to fall approximately 30 feet. This condition exposed an employee to a fall hazard of 30 feet.    (b)Mechanical Contractors, Inc. at 47333 104th St., Rosholt, SD 57260:  On and prior to January 9, 2017, the exposing employer did not ensure that anchorage associated fall protective systems were adequate and would support an employee in the event of a fall. Employees were anchoring to the toprail of a railing system while transitioning to a pipe rack. The employer did not evaluate the toprail to ensure it was a feasible anchorage and could support at least 5,000 lbs. for attachment for personal fall arrest systems. This condition exposed an employee to a fall hazard of 30 feet.