OSHA Inspection: RALPH CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,547 · Current $1,776 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(b)(1)(i): Each platform unit (e.g., scaffold plank, fabricated plank, fabricated deck, or fabricated platform) was not installed so that the space between adjacent units and the space between the platform and the uprights is no more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide, except where the employer can demonstrate that a wider space is necessary (for example, to fit around uprights when side brackets are used to extend the width of the platform).  On or about March 28, 2025, employees performing stucco application to the side of a commercial building were working on a scaffold approximately 21 feet off the ground. Employees were exposed to fall hazards due to the opening from the ladder access point not being fully planked.  This item was corrected during inspection.

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,547 · Current $1,776 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(e)(1): When scaffold platforms are 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 another scaffold, structure, personnel hoist, or similar surface shall be used. Crossbraces shall not be used as a means of access.  On or about March 28, 2025, employees performing stucco application to the side of a commercial building were working on a scaffold approximately 21 feet off the ground. Employees were exposed to fall hazards due to the use of crossbraces as a means of egress. Employees were seen using crossbraces instead of the designated access/egress ladder.  This item was corrected during inspection.

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,547 · Current $1,776 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(f)(7): Scaffolds were not erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities were not performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person.  On or about March 28, 2025, employees performing stucco application to the side of a commercial building were working on a scaffold approximately 21 feet off the ground. Employees were exposed to fall hazards and struck-by hazards due to multiple deficiencies in the erecting of the scaffold. The deficiencies included improper planking, lack of guardrails, unsecure baseplate, and lack of toeboards.  This item was corrected during inspection.

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,547 · Current $1,776 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(g)(1): Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level. Paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (vii) of this section establish the types of fall protection to be provided to the employees on each type of scaffold. Paragraph (g)(2) of this section addresses fall protection for scaffold erectors and dismantlers. Note to paragraph (g)(1): The fall protection requirements for employees installing suspension scaffold support systems on floors, roofs, and other elevated surfaces are set forth in subpart M of this part.  On or about March 28, 2025, employees performing stucco application to the side of a commercial building were working on a scaffold approximately 21 feet off the ground. Employees were exposed to fall hazards due to the lack of adequate fall protection when working on scaffold platforms more than 10 feet above a lower level.  This item corrected during inspection.

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,547 · Current $1,776 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.501(b)(1): "Unprotected sides and edges." Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level was not protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.  On or about March 28, 2025, employees performing stucco application to the side of a commercial building were working on a scaffold approximately 21 feet off the ground. One employee exited the scaffold and was working from the roof. The employee was not provided with fall protection while on an unprotected edge and was exposed to falls of approximately 21 feet.  This item was corrected during inspection.

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(c)(2): Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation.  On or about March 28, 2025, employees performing stucco application to the side of a commercial building were working on a scaffold approximately 21 feet off the ground. Employees were exposed to fall hazards due to one of the scaffolding baseplates hanging off the wood used to level the baseplate, causing it to be unsecured.  This item was corrected during inspection.

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.451(h)(1): In addition to wearing hardhats each employee on a scaffold shall be provided with additional protection from falling hand tools, debris, and other small objects through the installation of toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems, or through the erection of debris nets, catch platforms, or canopy structures that contain or deflect the falling objects. When the falling objects are too large, heavy or massive to be contained or deflected by any of the above-listed measures, the employer shall place such potential falling objects away from the edge of the surface from which they could fall and shall secure those materials as necessary to prevent their falling.  On or about March 28, 2025, employees performing stucco application to the side of a commercial building were working on a scaffold approximately 21 feet off the ground. Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards due to buckets of stucco placed on the edge of a plank without a toeboard. There was an employee working on the ground below the hazard.  This item was corrected during inspection.