Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.451(f)(6): The employer does not ensure that scaffolds are erected, used, dismantled, altered, or moved such that they, or any conductive material handled on them, can come closer than the minimum distances established for specific voltages as set forth in the table in subparagraph (f)(6). The employer fails to assure effective protections against shock or electrocution as required by the standard as demonstrated on November 20, 2024 and again on November 21, 2024 when employees were working from a scaffold that had been erected around an energized utility line. Instance #1: Employees were observed working from and around a scaffold which had been erected around an energized utility line. Instance #2: Employees were again exposed when they re-entered the scaffold to relocate the metal walkway on which the energized line lay after the CSHO's departure. A Notice of Imminent Danger was posted on the rungs of the ladder used to access the scaffold by the CSHO due to the ongoing electrical hazard, but was removed by an unknown party prior to the hazard being corrected. Stephen Pomazi Inc. was previously inspected and cited in 2014 under almost identical circumstances. OSHA Inspection 978877, Citation 1-3a: 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(7). Stephen Pomazi was cited for not erecting, moving, or altering a scaffold under the direction and supervision of a competent person. He showed an intentional disregard for the requirements of the OSH Act and a plain indifference to employee safety and health in that employees were exposed to the same hazards under almost identical conditions on November 20, 2024. In both instances, the electrical service line supplying power to the building under construction was resting directly on the scaffolding among other apparent violations.