OSHA Inspection: ROCLA CONCRETE TIE, INC.

Issued

Mar 31, 2022

Abate by

Jun 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,052 · Current $13,052

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2) Special precautions. When the nature of the work to be performed falls within the scope of paragraph (a)(1)(ii) certain additional precautions were not provided: (iii)(A)(1)The employer did not provide fire watchers whenever welding or cutting was performed, where appreciable combustible material in building construction or contents was closer than 35 feet (10.7 m) to the point of operation; (iv) The individual responsible for authorizing cutting or welding operations did not designate precautions to be followed in granting authorization to proceed preferably in the form of a written permit; (vii) Where practicable, combustible materials were not relocated at least 35 feet (10.7 m) from the cutting or welding operation work site:  a) 3201 Lime Rd, Pueblo CO 81004: On or about October 12th, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to fire and secondary explosion hazards while using an acetylene torch to cut open a used 55-gallon drum of motor oil without a fire watch posted. The employer did not grant authorization preferably in the form of a written permit for employees tasked with cutting used 55 gallon drums with an acetylene torch. The employees were exposed to fire and secondary explosion hazards while using an acetylene torch to cut open a used 55-gallon drum of motor oil with 6 other drums containing oil or other flammable materials within 20 feet of the point of operation.  An employee sustained 2nd-degree burns to 11% of their body while he was conducting such decommissioning activities with an acetylene torch on a used 55-gallon drum that previously contained flammable chemicals.

Issued

Mar 31, 2022

Abate by

Jun 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(xiii)(C): The employer did not recognize its responsibility for the safe usage of cutting or welding equipment, and did not insist that cutters or welders and their supervisors were suitably trained in the safe operation of their equipment:  a) 3201 Lime Rd, Pueblo CO 81004: On or about October 12th, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees and supervisors were properly trained in the safe operation of cutting and welding equipment as well as hot work procedures such as but not limited to attaining and issuing hot work permits, posting a fire watch for the task, ensuring that drums of oil or other flammable materials are not within 20 feet of the point of operation, and properly inspecting used drums of motor oil or other flammable chemicals  to make sure it they are cleaned so thoroughly as to make absolutely certain there were no flammable materials present. This exposed employees to fire and secondary explosion hazards while using an acetylene torch to cut open a used 55 gallon drum of motor oil, resulting in an employee sustaining 2nd-degree burns to 11% of their body while conducting such activities.

Issued

Mar 31, 2022

Abate by

Jun 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,052 · Current $6,603 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(3)(i):Welding, cutting, or other hot work was performed on used drums, barrels, tanks, or other containers that had not been cleaned so thoroughly as to make absolutely certain there were no flammable materials present or any substance.  a) 3201 Lime Rd, Pueblo CO 81004: On or about October 12th, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to fire and secondary explosion hazards while using an acetylene torch to cut open a used 55 gallon drum of motor oil which wasn't cleaned so thoroughly as to make absolutely certain there were no flammable materials present. An employee sustained 2nd-degree burns to 11% of their body while he was conducting such decommissioning activities with an acetylene torch on a used 55 gallon drum that previously contained flammable chemicals.