OSHA Inspection: SCOTT YATES

Issued

May 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $3,978

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to falls and crushing injuries:  a) Jobsite: On November 13, 2018 and at times prior thereto employees used a Reach-All articulating boom aerial lift truck (model AP75MHX) to perform tree trimming activities.  Pre-existing fractures (stress cracks) more than 3 inches long from metal fatigue were present at the knuckle boom elbow where the upper and lower booms connect. Components including critical weld areas on the booms and pivot knuckles were not inspected, repaired and maintained according to the manufacturer specifications and industry standards.    b) Jobsite: On November 13, 2018 and at times prior thereto employees used a Reach-All articulating boom aerial lift truck (model AP75MHX) to perform tree trimming activities. The jib attachment winch line attached to cut limbs was frayed in multiple locations.  c) Jobsite: On November 13, 2018 and at times prior thereto employees worked from a Reach-All articulating boom aerial lift truck (model AP75MHX) to perform tree trimming activities.  Torque stops / anti-spin locks were missing on the upper and lower boom sections.    e) Jobsite: On November 13, 2018 and at times prior thereto employees worked from a Reach-All articulating boom aerial lift truck (model AP75MHX) to perform tree trimming activities. The employer failed to maintain the control operation placards on the ground boom controls and on the platform/basket controls.     Note) Certification AND supporting documentation of corrective actions are required for this item.

Issued

May 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $3,978

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.67(b)(2): Aerial lift(s) were "field modified" for uses other than those intended by the manufacturer.  The modification has not been certified in writing by the manufacturer or by any other equivalent entity, such as a nationally recognized testing laboratory, to be in conformity with all applicable provisions of ANSI A92.2 - 1969 and this section, and to be at least as safe as the equipment was before modification:   a) Jobsite: On November 13, 2018 and at times prior thereto the employer used the Reach-All articulating boom aerial lift truck in a modified manner for tree trimming and tree felling activities.  This modified use subjected the boom, and critical components of the boom, to shock loading and application of horizontal loads (sideways pulling).  The manufacturer's intended use for this machine is overhead work, cable maintenance, and power-line or construction work.       Note) Certification AND supporting documentation of corrective action are required for this item.

Issued

May 8, 2019

Abate by

May 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $3,044 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(v): (v) A personal fall arrest or travel restraint system that meets the requirements in 29 CFR part 1910, subpart I, was not worn and attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift:   a) Jobsite: On November 13, 2018 and at times prior thereto employees were not required to wear a personal fall restraint system while performing tree trimming activities from the basket of a Reach-All articulating boom aerial lift truck. This exposed employees to potential fall hazards reaching up to 75 feet.   Note) Certification AND supporting documentation of corrective action are required for this item.

Issued

May 8, 2019

Abate by

May 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,842 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a)(1): The employer did not report within 8-hours the death of an employee resulting from a work-related incident:  a) The employer did not ensure that a notification was made to OSHA within 8 hours of a fatal injury to an employee and the hospitalization of another employee.  The incident occurred on November 13, 2018.