OSHA Inspection: KEY STRUCTURES, LLC

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,655 · Current $6,759 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(1):  The employer did not ensure that all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.  a) Main Work Floor: On or about February 23, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to slip, trip and fall hazards while performing work operations throughout the facility as walking surfaces were not kept in an orderly condition. Construction debris, pallets, insulation, and hand tool cords were located over walking surfaces. Key Structures, LLC,  failed to ensure that these items were properly stored to prevent injury.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $11,586 · Current $8,690 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(7)(i): The employer did not ensure that ladders placed in locations such as passageways, doorways, or driveways where they can be displaced by other activities or traffic were secured to prevent accidental displacement:  a) Sections 10-14: On or about February 23, 2021, employees were utilizing ladders during texture and trim operations; ladders were not secured to prevent accidental displacement, and were placed in high traffic locations.  Key Structures, LLC, exposed employees to fall from heights hazards.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(b)(8):  The employer did not ensure that ladders were used only for the purposes for which they were designed:  a) Sections 10-14: On or about  February 23, 2021, employees were utilizing ladders inappropriately during texture and trim operations in that self-supporting ladders were used as non self-supporting (single) ladders and leaned against structures.  Key Structures, Inc., exposed employees to fall from height hazards.  b) Section 12: On or about February 23, 2021, an at times prior, employees were utilizing ladders inappropriately during painting  operations in that self-supporting ladders were used as supports for wooden plank used as an elevated scaffold working surface. Key Structures, LLC, exposed employees to fall from heights hazards.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Mar 9, 2022

Penalty

Initial $11,586 · Current $8,690 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  a) Roofing Area: On or about March 30, 2021, and at times prior, an employee was exposed to excess noise while performing manufactured home construction. One employee in the roofing area was exposed to noise at a dose in excess of the 50 percent dose action level (AL). The employee was exposed to noise at a dose of 80.42% which is 1.6 times the action level of 85 dB. The employer, Key Structures, LLC,  failed to implement a continuing and effective hearing conservation program when employee's exposure was greater than the action level as measured over an 8-hour time-weighted average.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,655 · Current $6,759 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.140(d)(2)(ii):  The employer did not ensure that personal fall arrest systems are rigged in such a manner that the employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m) or contact a lower level:  a) Roofing Area: On or about February 23, 2021, employees were exposed to fall hazards in excess of 13 feet in height to the concrete surface below while performing roofing operations. Key Structures, LLC, did not ensure that lifelines of personal fall arrest systems were rigged in such a manner that employees could not free fall more than 6 feet or contact a lower level.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $7,724 · Current $5,793 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  a) Framing Area: On or about February 23, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to chemical hazards while working with chemicals such as, but not limited to, AlphaSeal 5200A (4,4'-Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate MDI) and AlphaSeal 5200B (Cyclohexyldimethylamine, Ethanediol). The employer, Key Structures, LLC,  failed to provide effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area.  b) Drywall Area: On or about February 23, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to chemical hazards while working with chemicals such as, but not limited to, USG Sheetrock Easy Sand 45 Joint Compound (Crystalline Silica Quartz). The employer, Key Structures, LLC,  failed to provide effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,516 · Current $9,462 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(b)(2): Scaffold platforms and walkways were not at least 18 inches wide:   a) Section 12: On or about February 23, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to fall hazards while utilizing self-supporting ladders as supports for a 10 inch wide wooden plank (used as an elevated scaffold working surface) during painting operations.  Key Structures, LLC, exposed employees to fall from heights hazards.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(e)(1):  When scaffold platforms were 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 other scaffold, structure, personnel hoist, or similar surface were not used:    a) Roofing Area: On or about February 23, 2021, and at times prior, employees were performing roofing operations and employees were utilizing scaffolding guardrails and cross braces to access and egress roof surfaces of manufactured housing.  Key Structures, LLC, exposed employees to fall from heights hazards of approximately 7 feet.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(f)(3):  Scaffolds and scaffold components were not inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity:  a) Main Work Area: On or about February 23, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to fall hazards of 7 feet to the floor surface below as scaffolds and scaffold components were not inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity.   Key Structures, LLC, employees were utilizing a mobile scaffold with damaged components, including locking  wheel mechanisms.     b) Section 12:  On or about February 23, 2021, and at times prior, employees performing painting operations were exposed to fall hazards greater than 4 feet to the floor surface below as scaffolds and scaffold components were not inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity.  Key Structures, LLC, employees were utilizing self-supporting ladders as supports for a 10 inch wooden plank (used as an elevated scaffold working surface).

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.454(b):  The employer did not have each employee who was involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold trained by a competent person to recognize any hazards associated with the work:  a) Roofing Area: On or about February 23, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that each employee involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold was trained by a competent person to recognize hazards.   Key Structures, LLC, exposed employees to fall from heights hazards of 7 feet.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,792 · Current $4,344 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.101(b): The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:  a) Behind Sealant Storage Wooden Containment: On or about February 23, 2021, and times prior, compressed gas cylinders (nitrogen) were not stored in a cylinder storage area with the names of the gasses prominently posted per Compressed Gas Association P-1-1965 Section 3.3.2.  Key Structures, LLC, exposed employees to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $115,854 · Current $86,890 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.452(w)(2): Scaffold casters and wheels were not locked with positive wheel and/or wheel and swivel locks, or equivalent means, to prevent movement of the scaffold while the scaffold was used in a stationary manner:   a) Roofing Area: On or about February 23, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to fall hazards of 7 feet to the concrete floor surface below as casters and wheels of mobile scaffolds were not locked with positive wheel and/or wheel and swivel locks, or equivalent means, to prevent movement of the scaffold while the scaffold was used in a stationary manner.  These were damaged and not capable of locking.  The scaffolding in use was the same scaffolding observed during a previous site visit by OSHA on 09/10/2020. Key Structures, LLC., exposed employees to fall from heights hazards.  Key Structures, LLC, was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard (29 CFR 1910.27(a)), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1492276, citation number 1, item number 1, instance a, and was affirmed as a final order on 01/13/2021, with respect to a workplace located at 319 Lockheed St, Pueblo, CO 81001.

Issued

Aug 13, 2021

Abate by

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $19,311 · Current $13,518 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.454(a): The employer did not have each employee who performed work while on a scaffold trained by a person qualified in the subject matter to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards.   a) Roofing Area: On or about February 23, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to fall hazards of 7 feet to the concrete surface below as employees were not trained by a qualified person to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used and how to control or minimize those hazards.  Key Structures, LLC, exposed employees to fall from heights hazards.  Key Structures, LLC, was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard (29 CFR 1910.27(a)), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1492276, citation number 1, item number 1, instance c, and was affirmed as a final order on 01/13/2021, with respect to a workplace located at 319 Lockheed St, Pueblo, CO 81001.