OSHA Inspection: ABCO MAINTENANCE INC.

Issued

Apr 17, 2019

Penalty

Initial $10,741 · Current $5,371 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i):  The employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that was 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level was protected from falling by one or more of the following:  Guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems:  a)  180 Passaic Avenue, Unit B, On the Roof, Fairfield, NJ.  HVAC workers were exposed to falls of approximately 27 feet from the commercial roof to the ground below as they were not using any method or plan for fall protection while replacing heat exchangers on the HVAC rooftop unit.                                                   Violation observed on or about October 24, 2018.

Issued

Apr 17, 2019

Abate by

May 21, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,137 · Current $3,069 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.30(a)(1):   Before any employee was exposed to a fall hazard, the employer had not provided training for each employee who uses personal fall protection systems or who is required to be trained as specified elsewhere in this subpart. The employer did not ensure that employees were trained in the requirements of this paragraph on or before May 17, 2017.  a)  180 Passaic Avenue, Unit B, On the Roof, Fairfield, NJ and at the Corporate Offices at 834 Morrow Street, Staten Island, NY.  HVAC workers who were exposed to falls of approximately 27 feet from the commercial roof to the ground below had not been trained on fall hazard recognition and prevention as specified in this Subpart D.                                                  Violation observed on or about October 24, 2018.

Issued

Apr 17, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,603 · Current $2,302 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.67(b)(2):   A modified aerial lift(s) was not certified by the manufacturer or a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory as being at least as safe as the equipment was before modification:  a)  180 Passaic Avenue, Unit B, Fairfield, NJ.  HVAC workers were exposed to injury from the aerial lift tipping or a boom failure as the aerial lift was modified from its use as a personnel lift to being used as a crane by placing rigging around the basket from which a 135 lb. heat exchanger was attached and lifted from the ground to the building's roof.                                                                                     Violation observed on or about October 24, 2018.

Issued

Apr 17, 2019

Penalty

Initial $10,741 · Current $5,371 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(iv):  The employer did not ensure employee(s) stand firmly on the floor of the basket and do not sit or climb on the edge of the basket or use planks, ladders, or other devices for a work position.   a)  180 Passaic Avenue, Unit B, Fairfield, NJ.  HVAC worker was exposed to falls of 17 feet from the basket of the telescopic boom lift as he did not stand firmly on the floor of the basket as he climbed out of the basket of the lift while it was elevated.                                                    Violation observed on or about October 24, 2018.

Issued

Apr 17, 2019

Penalty

Initial $10,741 · Current $5,371 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(v):    A body belt was not worn and lanyard was not attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift.  a)  180 Passaic Avenue, Unit B, Fairfield, NJ.  HVAC workers were exposed to catapulting-type falls of 17 feet from the basket of the telescopic boom lift as the workers were not using any form of fall restraint or fall protection.                                                  Violation observed on or about October 24, 2018.

Issued

Apr 17, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,603 · Current $2,302 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(vi):  Boom and basket load limits specified by the manufacturer were exceeded.  a)  180 Passaic Avenue, Unit B, Fairfield, NJ.  HVAC workers were exposed to injury from the aerial lift tipping or a boom failure as the boom and basket load limits were exceeded as approximately 510 lbs. of personnel, rigging and equipment were lifted from the ground to the commercial roof without the outriggers of the aerial lift being deployed.                                      Violation observed on or about October 24, 2018.

Issued

Apr 17, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,672 · Current $3,836 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(viii):   An aerial lift truck, not specifically designed for this type of operation, was being moved when the boom was elevated in a working position with men in the basket.  a)  180 Passaic Avenue, Unit B, Fairfield, NJ.  HVAC worker in the basket of the aerial lift was exposed to injuries from, but not limited to falls, when the aerial lift was moved with the worker still in the lift's basket.                                      Violation observed on or about October 24, 2018.