OSHA Inspection: WISCONSIN EXTERIORS AND DRYWALL, INC.

Issued

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(b)(1)(ii): Where the employer makes the demonstration provided for in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, the platform shall be planked or decked as fully as possible and the remaining open space between the platform and the uprights shall not exceed 9 1/2 inches (24.1 cm).  Exception to paragraph (b)(1): The requirement in paragraph (b)(1) to provide full planking or decking does not apply to platforms used solely as walkways or solely by employees performing scaffold erection or dismantling. In these situations, only the planking that the employer establishes is necessary to provide safe working conditions is required.    On and about April, 8, 2019, employees were exposed to falls from scaffolding where working and walking surfaces were not fully decked between the uprights on the access tower when the erection sequence had progressed beyond that point.

Issued

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(b)(5)(i): Each end of a platform 10 feet or less in length shall not extend over its support more than 12 inches (30 cm) unless the platform is designed and installed so that the cantilevered portion of the platform is able to support employees and/or materials without tipping, or has guardrails which block employee access to the cantilevered end.  On and about April 8, 2019, employees were exposed to falls while erecting a scaffold when the lumber planks used to expand their material landing zone extended approximately 3' beyond the bearing frames.

Issued

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(e)(4)(i): A stairrail consisting of a toprail and a midrail shall be provided on each side of each scaffold stairway.  On and about April 8, 2019, employees were exposed to falls while climbing a stair tower that had not been equipped with stair rails.

Issued

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(e)(5)(i): Ramps and walkways 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall have guardrail systems which comply with subpart M of this part -- Fall Protection;  On and about April 8, 2019, employees were exposed to falls while walking and working along walkways on the scaffold that did not have guardrails installed.

Issued

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(g)(2): Effective September 2, 1997, the employer shall have a competent person determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds. Employers are required to provide fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds where the installation and use of such protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard.  On and about April 8, 2019, employees were exposed to falls while erecting scaffolding above ten feet.  The designated competent person did not evaluate the scaffolding as it was being erected to identify the need to install of fall protection  equipment when it became feasible as the scaffold components were installed.

Issued

Apr 23, 2019

Abate by

May 21, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.454(b)(2): The correct procedures for erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, inspecting, and maintaining the type of scaffold in question;    On and about April 8, 2019, employees were exposed to falls when erecting scaffolding when the employer did not ensure each employee was trained to understand and follow safe work practices specified by the scaffold manufacturer, in that:  A) each working level was not completely decked;    B) each working level or walkway was not equipped with guardrails;    C) access ladders were not used to move between working levels;    D) scaffold planks extended more than 12" past the bearing frames;    E) personal fall arrest systems were not used when they were feasible.

Issued

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $11,669 · Current $7,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(e)(1): When scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet (0.6 m) above or below a point of access, portable ladders, hook-on ladders, attachable ladders, stair towers (scaffold stairways/towers), stairway-type ladders (such as ladder stands), ramps, walkways, integral prefabricated scaffold access, or direct access from another scaffold, structure, personnel hoist, or similar surface shall be used. Cross braces shall not be used as a means of access.    On and about April 8, 2019, employees were exposed to falls while moving between levels of scaffolding using cross braces and non-climbing frames since no other form of safe access was installed.    Wisconsin Exteriors and Drywall, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1084590, citation number 1, item number 2, and was affirmed as a final order on 1/8/16, with respect to a workplace located at 706 John Nolen Dr. Madison, WI 53713.

Issued

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(f)(7): Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person.  On and about April 8, 2019, employees were exposed to falls when the employer did not ensure that the scaffolding was being erected under the supervision of a competent person to address fall hazards.  The competent person on site did not ensure that scaffold components such as, guardrails, ladder access, planks, and tie in braces to the building structure were installed before erecting the next level above.  Wisconsin Exteriors and Drywall, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1084590, citation number 1, item number 3b, and was affirmed as a final order on 1/8/16, with respect to a workplace located at 706 John Nolen Dr. Madison, WI 53713.