Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 310266598
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Date: 04/10/2008 I
Initial Penalty: $1,500.00
Current Penalty: $1,500.00
Issuance Date: 04/07/2008
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 1
Related Event Code (REC):
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0626700
Contest Date:
Final Order:
Emphasis:
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY
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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazards of being struck by collapsing building components due to inadequate wall bracing. At the worksite located at 5511 Paper Rose Lane in Katy, Texas and on February 18, 2008, employees erected an interior wall with a "header" joist made of two - 2 inch by 12 inch thick pieces of lumber joined together to act as a beam and support the second floor's wall. The header (beam) spanned an opening of approximately 12 feet, 4 inches and a total wall length of 16 feet - 5 inches. Two diagonal braces were nailed to the opposite ends of the wall with the braces leading down to the concrete floor surface and facing in opposite directions. The bottom of the braces were leaning against the concrete floor, not secured or fastened, and were acting as a "kickstand" as a bicycle kickstand would operate. High winds caused the wall to twist and fall towards the employees, fatally injuring one of them after being struck by the 350 pound wall. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other procedures, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is to fasten the temporary wall braces to wood stakes in the ground or to floor sole plates that are anchored to the concrete floor. DISCLAIMER: 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.
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