Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: UNAPEQUIP

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to floor collapse hazards: Location: 227 Front St, New York, N.Y. On or about 06/18/04. A 12 ft by 16 ft section of floor collapsed. The following conditions were observed: a)Only three screws were used to attach a temporary beam hanger which had required 10 screws and which was holding up one corner of the floor section. The three screws sheared off when the floor collapsed. The temporary beam also buckled where a 15 inch section of the "beam cap" reinforcement was missing. (b)Employers at the jobsite were not notified or warned that the floor had not been completed structurally and to limit construction activities on it. AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS: 1.Use the correct number of screws for C-Joist connections as required by the C-Joist manufacturer (Cleveland Steel). Ensure that structural design changes are done under the supervision of an engineer or equivalent. 2.Make necessary notifications and warnings to other employers at the jobsite if floor load capacity has been changed from the capacity listed on the project design drawings (120 lb per sq ft). Abatement Note: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.