Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 004A Hazard: CRUSHING

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish 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 who were exposed to the hazard of being struck by or crushed by a collapsing building. (1)The employer did not ensure that inspections were performed by a competent person during demolition progression to detect any hazards resulting from weakened floors, walls or loosened materials. This violation was most recently observed on April 14, 2009 when workers were permitted to work where such hazards existed and had not been corrected by shoring, bracing or other effective means. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other procedures, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is for the employer to comply with the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Safety Standards for Construction and Demolition Operations ANSI A10.6-199, paragraph 5.1.During demolition, inspections by a competent person shall be made as the work progresses to detect hazards resulting from weakened or deteriorated floors, walls or loosened material. No worker shall be permitted to work where such hazards exist until the are corrected by shoring, bracing or other effective means. Disclaimers: You are not limited to the abatement methods described above. The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate abatement method. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must provide documentation that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that abatement is complete.