OSHA Inspection: ION SOLAR LLC

Issued

Nov 20, 2023

Abate by

Dec 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,733 · Current $14,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.20(f)(1):Personal protective equipment. Standards in this part requiring the employer to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators and other types of PPE, because of hazards to employees impose a separate compliance duty with respect to each employee covered by the requirement. The employer must provide PPE to each employee required to use the PPE, and each failure to provide PPE to an employee may be considered a separate violation.  a) On and before July 20, 2023, the employer did not provide eye protection to employees who were required to utilize a reciprocating saw to cut the end of the solar panel rails while they were installing solar panels on a residential roof.

Issued

Nov 20, 2023

Abate by

Dec 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.20(f)(2):Training. Standards in this part requiring training on hazards and related matters, such as standards requiring that employees receive training or that the employer train employees, provide training to employees, or institute or implement a training program, impose a separate compliance duty with respect to each employee covered by the requirement. The employer must train each affected employee in the manner required by the standard, and each failure to train an employee may be considered a separate violation.   a) On and before July 20, 2023, the employer did not provide training to each employee on when to utilize personal protective equipment such as but not limited to eye protection while operating the Milwaukee HAZCKZALL reciprocating saw to cut solar panel rails.

Issued

Nov 20, 2023

Abate by

Dec 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,278 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.102(a)(1):The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.  a) On July 20, 2023, the employer did not ensure each affected employee used eye protection while using a reciprocating saw to cut off ends of the solar panel braces.

Issued

Nov 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $156,259 · Current $14,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.501(b)(13):"Residential construction." Each employee engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system unless another provision in paragraph (b) of this section provides for an alternative fall protection measure. 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 July 20, 2023 the employer did not ensure that employees installing solar panels on a 2 story residential roof were utilizing a fall protection system. An employee was wearing fall protection equipment but not tied to an anchor point.  Other employees were not wearing any fall protection equipment. As a result employees were exposed to a fall hazard greater than 10 feet 4 inches with a roof pitch of approximately 6/12.  Ion Solar LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1319017, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on July 11, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 3735 El Diente, Arvada CO 8007.  Ion Solar LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1507163, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on July 7, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 6707 Commanche Post San Antonio, TX 78233.  Ion Solar LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1575923, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on September 6, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 26811 East Ellsworth Ave Aurora, CO 80011 and 26891 East Ellsworth Ave Aurora, CO 80011.  Ion Solar LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1641270, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on October 25, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 3398 Hackberry Lane Johnstown, CO 80534.