OSHA Inspection: US INDUSTRIAL SALVAGE

Issued

Jul 15, 2020

Abate by

Aug 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $2,830 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b): In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.    a) On 3/24/2020 the employer did not provide proper medical care for an employee that was severely injured due to an explosion.  The employer did not call for EMS but chose to have another employee transport the injured employee to the hospital 6.4 miles away, approximately 11 minutes by vehicle.

Issued

Jul 15, 2020

Abate by

Aug 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $2,892 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).    a) On or about 2/20 the employer did not ensure that PIV operators had successfully been trained to operate PIVs and completed an evaluation of the operator's ability to operate PIVs such as but not limited to forklifts.

Issued

Jul 15, 2020

Abate by

Aug 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $2,830 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2): Such programs shall provide for frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, materials, and equipment to be made by competent persons designated by the employers.    a) On or about 3/24/20 no frequent and regular inspection were conducted by a competent person designated by  the employer during the demo/gutrehab of a facility in that:     1. On or about 2/20 an employee was cutting a Sodium Sulfate line when a liquid got on the employee's arm and leg.     2. On or about 3/20 an employee was cutting air conditioning pipes and Freon came out of the pipes.   3. On 3/24/20 an employee was in the process of cutting a PVC pipe while laying on a 8' x 10' holding tank (approximately 25' up onto a raised platform) utilizing a Stihl cutting saw with a 12" blade (TSA 230).  As the employee began cutting and explosion occurred, separated the top of the tank with the employee on it.    The subcontractor (US Industrial Salvage) did not ensure that the tanks and piping systems were flushed to reduce the hazards associated with chemical.

Issued

Jul 15, 2020

Abate by

Aug 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(2)(i): Each employee who is constructing a leading edge 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502.  Note: There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above-listed fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.    a) On 3/24/20 the employer did not provide employees working on top of a tank approximately 25' above a concrete flooring with any type of fall protection system such as but not limited to: guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.  On 3/24/20 an employee was in the process of cutting a PVC pipe while laying on a 8' x 10' holding tank (approximately 25' up onto a raised platform) utilizing a Stihl cutting saw with a 12" blade (TSA 230).

Issued

Jul 15, 2020

Abate by

Aug 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.850(e): It shall also be determined if any type of hazardous chemicals, gases, explosives, flammable materials, or similarly dangerous substances have been used in any pipes, tanks, or other equipment on the property. When the presence of any such substances is apparent or suspected, testing and purging shall be performed and the hazard eliminated before demolition is started.    a) On or about 3/24/20 US Industrial Salvage did not perform any testing or purging knowing that the presence of  hazardous chemicals such as gases, explosives, flammable material or other dangerous substances may still be in the piping systems or the tanks.   On 3/24/20 an employee was cutting a PVC pipe while kneeling on the top of a 8' x 10' holding tank (UT-5)(approximately 25' up onto a raised platform) utilizing a Stihl cutting saw with a 12" blade (TSA 230).  As the employee began cutting into the piping system an explosion occurred and separated the lid of the tank from the tank with the employee on it.    b) On or about 3/20 an employee was cutting air conditioning pipes and Freon came out of the pipes.     c) On or about 2/20 an employee was cutting a Sodium Sulfate line when a liquid got on the employee's arm and leg.