OSHA Inspection: HIGHER GROUND ROOFING INC.

Issued

Jun 8, 2018

Abate by

Jul 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $2,587 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.  Note: There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above-listed fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.    a.  On or about May 7, 2018, employees engaged in residential construction activities on a steep pitch roof, with unprotected sides and edges greater than fifteen feet above the ground at the jobsite located at 307 W Main St Merrill, WI were not protected from falling by an acceptable form of fall protection.  Two employees engaged in roofing activities were exposed to falls when a personal fall arrest system was not used.    b.  On or about May 7, 2018, employees engaged in roofing activities on a steep pitch roof, with unprotected sides and edges greater than fifteen feet above the ground at the jobsite located at 307 W Main St Merrill, WI were not protected from falling by an acceptable form of fall protection. The employer did not use a complete and properly installed fall protection during roofing work. Employees engaged in roofing activities were exposed to falls when the Guardian Temper Anchor Part #00455 used as part of the personal fall arrest system were not properly installed.

Issued

Jun 8, 2018

Abate by

Jul 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.502(d)(17): The attachment point of the body belt shall be located in the center of the wearer's back. The attachment point of the body harness shall be located in the center of the wearer's back near shoulder level, or above the wearer's head.  a.  On or about May 7, 2018, employees engaged in residential construction activities on a steep pitch roof, with unprotected sides and edges greater than fifteen feet above ground at the jobsite located at 307 W Main St Merrill, WI were not protected from falling by an acceptable form of fall protection.  Four employees were wearing harnesses where the dee-ring was not located in the center of the wearer's back near shoulder level.

Issued

Jun 8, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $2,587 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.502(d)(21): Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service.    a.  On or about May 7, 2018, an employee engaged in residential construction activities on a steep pitch roof with unprotected sides and edges greater than fifteen feet above the ground at the jobsite located at 307 W Main St Merrill, WI was wearing a harness that had a broken dee-ring pad.

Issued

Jun 8, 2018

Abate by

Jul 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $2,587 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.503(b)(1): 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.    a.  On or about May 7, 2018, the employer did not verify that employees engaged in roofing activities had been trained in the hazards associated with falls from heights.