OSHA Inspection: EMPCOL, INC.

Issued

May 6, 2025

Abate by

Jun 4, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $8,276

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(b)(1):Each platform on all working levels of scaffolds was not fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports as specified in paragraphs 1926.451(b)(1)(i)-(ii):  (a) On or about December 12, 2024 and at times prior, EMPCOL, Inc. dba Empireworks Reconstruction and Painting, as a controlling employer, did not ensure that subcontractor employees conducting work on a fabricated frame scaffold were protected from falls by ensuring that all levels of the scaffold were fully planked.

Issued

May 6, 2025

Abate by

Jun 4, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(b)(10): Scaffold components manufactured by different manufacturers were modified in order to intermix them and a competent person did not determine that the resulting scaffold was structurally sound:  (a) On or about December 12, 2024 and times prior, EMPCOL, Inc. dba Empireworks Reconstruction and Painting, as a controlling employer, did not determine that scaffold components manufactured by different manufacturers that were intermixed, were structurally sound exposing subcontractor employees to fall hazards.

Issued

May 6, 2025

Abate by

Jun 4, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(c)(1):Supported scaffolds with a height to base width (including outrigger supports, if used) ratio of more than four to one (4:1) were not restrained from tipping by guying, tying, bracing, or equivalent means, as set forth in subparagraphs (i) - (iii) of this paragraph:  (a) On or about December 12, 2024 and at times prior, EMPCOL, Inc. dba Empireworks Reconstruction and Painting, as a controlling employer, did not ensure that the fabricated frame scaffold being utilized by subcontractor employees to conduct masonry work was restrained from tipping-over by guying or tying.

Issued

May 6, 2025

Abate by

Jun 4, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(c)(2)(i):Footings were not level, sound, rigid and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold without settling or displacement:  (a) On or about December 12, 2024 and times prior, EMPCOL, Inc. dba Empireworks Reconstruction and Painting, as a controlling employer, did not ensure the footings of the fabricated scaffold were level and secured to prevent displacement. Footings were not level and not secured to the mud sills. Several footings were bent and unstable while workers were working on the scaffold. This condition exposed subcontractor employees to falls from heights.

Issued

May 6, 2025

Abate by

Jun 4, 2025

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:  On or about December 12, 2024 and at times prior, EMPCOL, Inc. dba Empireworks Reconstruction and Painting, as a controlling employer, did not ensure the fabricated frame scaffold had been inspected for visible defects by a competent person before use.

Issued

May 6, 2025

Abate by

Jun 4, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(h)(2)(ii): A toeboard was not erected along the edge of platforms more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above lower levels for a distance sufficient to protect employees below:Note:  This requirement does not apply to float (ship) scaffolds where an edging of 3/4 inch x 1 1/2 inch (2 x 4 cm) wood or equivalent was used in lieu of toeboards.  (a) On or about December 12, 2024, and at times prior, EMPCOL, Inc. dba Empireworks Reconstruction and Painting, as a controlling employer, did not ensure that subcontracted employees were not exposed to struck-by hazards in that toe boards were not installed to prevent and ensure subcontractor employees below were protected from tools and materials falling from overhead.

Issued

May 6, 2025

Abate by

Jun 4, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $8,276

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(g)(4)(i): Guardrail systems were not installed along all open sides and ends of platforms before being released for use by employees other than erection/dismantling crews:  (a) On or about December 12, 2024 and at times prior, EMPCOL, Inc. dba Empireworks Reconstruction and Painting, as a controlling employer, did not ensure that the fabricated supported scaffold being utilized to conduct masonry work had all guardrails systems installed prior to allowing subcontractor employees access the scaffold.

Issued

May 6, 2025

Abate by

Jun 4, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1053(b)(16):Portable ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or other faulty or defective components, were not either immediately marked in a manner that readily identifies them as defective, or tagged with "Do Not Use" or similar language, and were not withdrawn from service until repaired.  (a) On or about December 12, 2024 and times prior, EMPCOL, Inc. dba Empireworks Reconstruction and Painting, as a controlling employer, did not ensure that a ladder used for access to upper levels of a scaffold with bent cleats was marked as defective or tagged or removed from service until repaired.