OSHA Inspection: THOMAS J. KENNEDY PLUMBING, HEATING & HVAC, INC.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.800(b)(3): The employer shall control access to all openings to prevent unauthorized entry underground. Unused chutes, manways, or other openings shall be tightly covered, bulkheaded, or fenced off, and shall be posted with warning signs indicating "Keep Out" or similar language. Completed or unused sections of the underground facility shall be barricaded.    Location: Jobsite    The employer did not cover, mark or provide warning signage at access points to the entrances to keep unauthorized personnel from entering the work area.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Abate by

Oct 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.800(d): Safety instruction. All employees shall be instructed in the recognition and avoidance of hazards associated with underground construction activities including, where appropriate, the following subjects:    1) Air Monitoring  2) Ventilation  3) Illumination  4) Communication  5) Flood Control  6) Mechanical equipment  7) Personal Protective Equipment  8) Explosives  9) Fire Prevention  10) Emergency procedures, including evacuation plans and check in/ check out systems.    Location: Jobsite.    Employees were exposed to hazards associated with tunneling while working under a structural slab where Subpart S training was not provided.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Abate by

Oct 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.800(g)(3): At least one designated person was not on duty above ground when employees were working underground.    Location: Jobsite    There was no designated employee responsible for calling emergency services or keeping a record and count of employees working underground in tunnels dug below the structural slab on grade.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Abate by

Oct 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.800(g)(5)(ii): On jobsites where less than 25 employees worked underground at one time, the employer did not provide or arrange in advance for at least one 5-person rescue team.    Location: Jobsite    Employees were working in tunnels under a concrete slab on grade where the employer did not make arrangements for or provide a rescue team.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Abate by

Oct 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.800(k)(1)(i): Fresh air shall be supplied to all underground work areas in sufficient quantities to prevent dangerous or harmful accumulation of dusts, fumes, mists, vapors or gases.    Location: Jobsite    The employer did not provide fresh air to the underground work areas where employees had been working in order to prevent harmful accumulation of respiratory hazards.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Abate by

Oct 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.800(o)(3)(i)(A): A competent person shall inspect the roof, face, and walls of the work area at the start of each shift and as often as necessary to determine ground stability.    Location: Jobsite    The employer failed to designate a competent person to inspect the roof, face and wall of the underground work area in order to determine stability whereby exposing employees to cave-in and caught-in hazards.