OSHA Inspection: WIND COMPOSITE SERVICES GROUP, LLC

Issued

2025-07-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9268.00 · Current $8500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(d)(3)(i): Before the scaffold was used, direct connections were not evaluated by a competent person to confirm, based on the evaluation, that the supporting surfaces are capable of supporting the loads to be imposed. This provision is applicable to general industry employment by 29 CFR 1910.27(a).  On or about February 22, 2025, employees engaged in commercial wind turbine blade repair, located at 56660 851st Road, Winside, NE 68790, were exposed to fall hazards in that the employer had employees using a single point suspended scaffolding system that did not have direct connection points assessed by a competent person. The result of this failure was the assigned worker's inability to recognize the primary line was improperly connected, which directly contributed to the rigging slipping free of the connection point and the scaffold falling approximately 250 feet to the ground.

Issued

2025-07-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9268.00 · Current $8500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(d)(3)(ix): Tiebacks were not secured to a structurally sound anchorage on the building or structure. This provision is applicable to general industry employment by 29 CFR 1910.27(a).  On or about February 22, 2025, employees engaged in commercial wind turbine blade repair, located at 56660 851st Road, Winside, NE 68790, were exposed to fall hazards in that the employer had employees using a single point suspended scaffolding system that was not effectively secured to the structurally sound anchorage point. The clevis used to attach the primary line was not effectively secured to both ends of the rigging and/or the rigging was not effectively choked, which directly contributed to the rigging slipping free of the connection point and the scaffold falling approximately 250 feet to the ground.

Issued

2025-07-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6621.00 · Current $6000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(d)(10): Ropes were not inspected by a competent person prior to each work shift and replaced if any physical damage impairing the function and strength of the rope existed. This provision is applicable to general industry employment by 29 CFR 1910.27(a).  On or about February 22, 2025, employees engaged in commercial wind turbine blade repair, located at 56660 851st Road, Winside, NE 68790, were exposed to fall hazards in that the employer had employees using a single point suspended scaffolding system that did not have the wire rope inspected by a competent person before each work shift.  Without a competent person(s) trained to inspect the rope to ensure the rope inspection is conducted thoroughly while identifying failures to include but not limited to items (i) - (vi) of this subpart there is an increased risk of a failure that would result in the rope breaking and the scaffold falling to the ground.

Issued

2025-07-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9268.00 · Current $8500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(f)(5): Scaffolds were moved horizontally while employees were on them although the scaffolds were not designed for such movement by a registered professional engineer. This provision is applicable to general industry employment by 29 CFR 1910.27(a).  On or about February 22, 2025, employees engaged in commercial wind turbine blade repair, located at 56660 851st Road, Winside, NE 68790, were exposed to fall hazards in that the employer had employees using a block and tackle system to apply lateral force as means of moving the scaffold away from the windmill base and towards the blades in need of repair. The result of this action was the block and tackle system, which was secured to the railing of the scaffold on one end and to a parked truck on the ground, applied unaccounted-for lateral and downward force as the scaffolding ascended.

Issued

2025-07-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9268.00 · Current $8500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(g)(3)(iv): Vertical lifelines, independent support lines, and suspension ropes shall not be attached to each other, nor shall they be attached to or use the same point of anchorage, nor shall they be attached to the same point on the scaffold or personal fall arrest system. This provision is applicable to general industry employment by 29 CFR 1910.27(a).  On or about February 22, 2025, employees engaged in commercial wind turbine blade repair, located at 56660 851st Road, Winside, NE 68790, were exposed to fall hazards in that the employer had employees using a suspended scaffolding system without being tied off to vertical lifelines that were attached to an anchorage point that was independent from the scaffold's support cable. The inspection documented the employees securing their fall arrest lanyards to an overhead anchor point fixed as part of the scaffold.