OSHA Inspection: EAST RIVER HOMES, INC.

Issued

Sep 10, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,126 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): Operators were not trained in the safe operation of powered industrial trucks:       (a)East River Homes, Inc. at 3801 9th Avenue SE, Watertown, SD 57201: On or about and at times prior to May 15, 2019, the controlling and exposing employer did not ensure all forklift operators were trained in operation of powered industrial truck. The operator did not receive training on the operation and use of the Genie GTH Model 844 telehandler or the use of an attachment in the form of a temporary platform that was not equipped with guardrails on the front of the personnel platform or chained to the mast for stability. This condition exposed an employee and subcontractor employees to the hazard of improper forklift operation.       Abatement Note:  Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.    Abatement Note: The requirements applicable to construction work under this paragraph are identical to those set forth at 1910.178(l) of this chapter.

Issued

Sep 10, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,126 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1):  Each employee on a scaffold 10 feet above a lower level was not protected from falling to the lower level:       (a)East River Homes, Inc. at 3801 9th Avenue SE, Watertown, SD 57201: On or about and at times prior to May 15, 2019, the controlling employer did not ensure subcontractor employees were protected from fall hazards in that, employees accessed a temporary platform that was connected to a telehandler that was not equipped with properly installed guardrails erected on all sides of the platform or used personal fall arrest equipment.  This condition exposed employees to a fall of approximate 20 feet.

Issued

Sep 10, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1051(a): Stairways or ladders were not provided at all personnel points of access where there was a break in elevation of 19 inches (48 cm) or more, and no ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or personnel hoist was provided:       (a)East River Homes, Inc. at 3801 9th Avenue SE, Watertown, SD 57201: On or about and at times prior to May 15, 2019, the controlling employer did not ensure subcontractor employees were protected from falls that were accessing the 14-in-12 pitched roof from a flat roof to conduct re-roofing activities. The employer did not provide a ladder to allow for safe access and egress from the pitched roof. Subcontractor employees were jumping approximately 4 feet from the pitched roof to the flat roof.  This condition exposed subcontractor employees to fall hazards of approximately 4 feet without the use of a ladder to transition to the flat roof.

Issued

Sep 10, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1): A portable ladder was used for access to an upper landing, and the ladder side rails did not extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing, and was not secured:      (a)East River Homes, Inc. at 3801 9th Avenue SE, Watertown, SD 57201: On or about and at times prior to May 15, 2019, the controlling employer did not ensure employees and subcontractor employees were protected from fall hazards associated with a portable extension ladder not extending 3 feet above the upper landing, and was not secured. This condition exposed employees and subcontractor employees to a fall hazard of approximately 15 feet.

Issued

Sep 10, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,683 · Current $3,683 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2):  The employer did not initiate and maintain an accident prevention program which provides for frequent and regular inspections of jobsites, materials, and equipment to be made by a competent person (i.e., a person who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.):    (a)East River Homes, Inc. at 3801 9th Avenue SE, Watertown, SD 57201: On or about and at times prior to May 15, 2019, the controlling employer did not ensure an accident prevention program was developed and implemented for the work environment to include regular inspections of the job-site, materials, and equipment; conducted by a competent person. Subcontractor employees were exposed to fall hazards related to conducting roofing operations on a 14-in-12 pitched roof. Subcontractor employees were also exposed to fall hazards while using an inadequate ladder associated with accessing the roof, the employer not provide ladder access to the pitched roof, and fall exposures associated with working on a temporary platform connected to the telehandler that was not equipped with guardrails.  The conditions exposed subcontractor employees to fall hazards up to 25 feet.         Abatement Note: OSHA defines a "competent" person as one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.       East River Homes, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of the same or substantially similar condition of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1337502, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on October 18, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 502 East Kemp Avenue in Watertown, SD 57201.

Issued

Sep 10, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $8,752 · Current $8,752

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(11):  Each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels was not protected from falling by guardrail systems with toeboards, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems:         (a)East River Homes, Inc. at 3801 9th Avenue SE, Watertown, SD 57201: On or about and at times prior to May 15, 2019, the controlling employer did not ensure subcontractor employees were protected from fall hazards by guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest system or warning line system and safety monitor system. Subcontractor employees were conducting re-roofing operations on a commercial building with a roof pitch of 14-in-12 while not utilizing a fall protection system. This condition exposed subcontractor employees to a fall hazard of approximately 25 feet.        East River Homes, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of the same or substantially similar condition of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1337502, citation number 1, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on October 18, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 502 East Kemp Avenue in Watertown, SD 57201.

Issued

Sep 10, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1):  Each employee on a walking/working surface having an unprotected side or edge which was 6 feet or more above a lower level was not protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or personal fall arrest system:      (a)East River Homes, Inc. at 3801 9th Avenue SE, Watertown, SD 57201: On or about and at times prior to May 15, 2019, the controlling employer did not ensure subcontractor employees were protected on a walking/working surface having an unprotected side or edge which was six feet or more above a lower level was protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or personal fall arrest system. Subcontractor employees were working in close proximity to the edge of flat roof while transferring materials and equipment to a temporary platform connected to a telehandler. This condition exposed subcontractor employees to a fall hazard of approximately 12 feet.     East River Homes, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of the same or substantially similar condition of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1337502, citation number 1, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on October 18, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 502 East Kemp Avenue in Watertown, SD 57201.