OSHA Inspection: THE HILL GROUP DBA HILL MECHANICAL CORP.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12145.00 · Current $7938.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.l46(c)(9)(i): Each contractor who was retained to perform permit space entry operations did not obtain any available information from the host employer regarding permit space hazards and entry operations from the host employer:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not obtain information regarding the hazards and permit-required confined space entry operations associated with steam vaults 13 and 14 on the Evanston Campus from Northwestern University prior to entry into those spaces.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12145.00 · Current $7938.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(9)(ii):  Each contactor who was retained to perform permit space entry operations did not coordinate entry operations with the host employer, when both host employer personnel and contractor personnel would be working in or near permit spaces, as required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(11):     (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not coordinate entry operations for entry into steam vault 13 on the Evanston Campus with Northwestern University when the host employer's personnel were also involved in entry into the permit space.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(11): Under the permit space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement procedures to coordinate entry operations when employees of more than one employer were working simultaneously as authorized entrants in a permit space, so that employees of one employer do not endanger the employees of any other employer:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not develop and implement procedures to coordinate entry operations with the host employer for entry into steam vault 13 on the Evanston Campus, which involved an entry by a Northwestern University employee and an entry by a Hill Mechanical Corp. employee for the purpose of observing a steam leak and evaluating valve configuration.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12145.00 · Current $7938.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(2):  Under the permit space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not identify and evaluate the hazards of permit spaces before employees entered them:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not identify and evaluate the hazards associated with high-pressure steam and potential atmospheric hazards identified by Northwestern University (such as oxygen deficiency, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide) in steam vaults 13 and 14 on the Evanston Campus before employees were allowed to enter.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12145.00 · Current $7938.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3)(iii):  Under the permit space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including, but not limited to, isolating the permit space:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary to isolate steam vault 13 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus from the hazard posed by high-pressure steam prior to an entry by a Hill Mechanical Corp. employee for the observation of a steam leak.    (b) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary to isolate steam vault 14 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus from the hazard posed by high-pressure steam prior to an entry by Hill Mechanical Corp. employees for the observation of a steam leak and the performance of repairs on the steam system.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3)(vi):  Under the permit space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including, but not limited to, verifying that conditions in the permit space are acceptable for entry throughout the duration of an authorized entry:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for verifying acceptable conditions related to high-pressure steam and potential atmospheric hazards in steam vault 13 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus prior to an entry by a Hill Mechanical Corp. employee for the observation of a steam leak.    (b) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for verifying acceptable conditions related to high-pressure steam and potential atmospheric hazards in steam vault 14 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus prior to an entry by Hill Mechanical Corp. employees for the observation of a steam leak and the performance of repairs on the steam system.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8675.00 · Current $7938.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5)(i):  Under the permit space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions when entry operations were conducted by testing conditions in the permit space to determine if acceptable entry conditions existed before entry was authorized to begin:    (a) On October 10, 2019,  Hill Mechanical Corp. did not test atmospheric conditions in steam vault 13 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus for the potential atmospheric hazards identified by the host employer (such as oxygen deficiency, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide) prior to an entry by a Hill Mechanical Corp. employee for the observation of a steam leak.    (b) On October 10, 2019,  Hill Mechanical Corp. did not test atmospheric conditions in steam vault 14 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus for the potential atmospheric hazards identified by the host employer (such as oxygen deficiency, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide) prior to an entry by Hill Mechanical Corp. employees for the observation of a steam leak and the performance of repairs on the steam system.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12145.00 · Current $7938.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(8):  Under the permit space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not designate the persons who were to active roles in entry operations, identify the duties of each such employee, and provide each such employee with the training required by 29 CFR 1910.146(g):    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not designate roles for permit-required confined space entry operations (such as authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, and persons to perform tests) for safe entry into steam vault 13 on Northwestern University's Campus and provide the necessary training for those roles prior to an entry by a Hill Mechanical Corp. employee for the observation of a steam leak.    (b) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not designate roles for permit-required confined space entry operations (such as authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, and persons to perform tests) for safe entry into steam vault 14 on Northwestern University's Campus and provide the necessary training for persons in those roles prior to an entry by Hill Mechanical Corp. employees for the observation of a steam leak and the performance of repairs on the steam system.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1):  The employer did not provide training so that all employees whose work was regulated by this section acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under 29 CFR 1910.146:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. had not provided the necessary permit-required confined space training to employees required to enter steam vaults 13 and 14 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12145.00 · Current $7938.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(1):  Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not prepare and complete an entry permit for steam vault 13 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus prior to an entry by a Hill Mechanical Corp. employee for the observation of a steam leak.    (b) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not prepare and complete an entry permit for steam vault 14 prior on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus prior to an entry by Hill Mechanical Corp. employees for the observation of a steam leak and the performance of repairs on the steam system.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12145.00 · Current $7938.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(1)(i):  When designating rescue and emergency services pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9), the employer did not evaluate the prospective rescuer's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner, considering the hazard(s) identified:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. had not evaluated a rescue and emergency service's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner for steam vaults 13 and 14 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus prior to entry into those spaces.      In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(1)(iv):  When designating rescue and emergency services pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9), the employer did not inform each rescue team or service of the hazards they may confront when called on to perform rescue at the site:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. had not informed a rescue and emergency service of the hazards associated with steam vaults 13 and 14 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus prior to entry into those spaces.       In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(1)(v):  When designating rescue and emergency services pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9), the employer did not provide the rescue team or service selected with access to all permit spaces from which rescue may be necessary so that the rescue service could develop appropriate rescue plans and practice rescue operations:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. had not provided a rescue and emergency service with access to steam vaults 13 and 14 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus for rescue planning and practice prior to entry into those spaces.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2020-04-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12145.00 · Current $7938.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(3):  To facilitate non-entry rescue, retrieval systems or methods were not used whenever an authorized entrant entered a permit space:    (a) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not utilize a non-entry rescue retrieval system at steam vault 13 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus prior to an entry by a Hill Mechanical Corp. employee for the observation of a steam leak.    (b) On October 10, 2019, Hill Mechanical Corp. did not utilize a non-entry rescue retrieval system at steam vault 14 on Northwestern University's Evanston Campus prior to an entry by Hill Mechanical Corp. employees for the performance of repairs on the steam system.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.