OSHA Inspection: JUDDS BROS. CONSTRUCTION CO.

Issued

2023-03-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-06-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12031.00 · Current $10000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 that were exposed to struck by hazards while working  in close proximity to an operating excavator:  On or about November 30, 2022: Employees engaged in utility pipe installation activities at 150th St and Wycliffe Drive, Omaha, Nebraska, were exposed to struck by hazards that could cause serious and/or fatal injuries in that the employees were working in close proximity to an elevated, moving excavator bucket being used to press utility pipes together.   AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHODS TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD ARE:  i. Develop work rules to ensure that workers do not stand within or approach the operating radius of the work equipment as directed in the Operation and Maintenance Manual, WEAM000101, for the Komatsu Excavator, model number PC 270 and the Operator's Manual, OM90A Rev. 4, for the JRB SMART LOC Quick Coupler.  ii. Evaluate jobsites for struck-by hazards then develop and implement work practices and written procedures to keep workers away from an elevated load and out of the swing radius of both the excavator dipper arm and the excavator superstructure, including when the excavator arm and bucket are in motion.  iii. Develop work rules requiring excavator operators are familiar with the use of the quick coupler lock procedures to ensure an adequate and safe connection, as required by the manufacturer prior to use, including procedures for engaging attachments, testing, and visual inspection. Including but not limited to the following:        1) Visual inspection of the quick-disconnect system to make sure it is properly locked after changing attachments.      2) Perform an attachment safety check by moving the bucket or attachment through the complete range of motions after each attachment change to ensure the coupler is locked.       3) Prior to using an attachment, always perform a connection test as specified in the JRB Operator's Manual Smart-Loc Coupler, pages 21-22 Steps 5-7.

Issued

2023-03-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-06-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8595.00 · Current $6500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.21(b)(2): The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury:  Employees engaged in utility pipe installation activities at 150th St and Wycliffe Drive, Omaha, Nebraska, were exposed to struck by hazards in that excavator operators were not trained in the use of quick couplers for connecting attachments to excavators.