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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">United States of America</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; "> OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">1924 Building - Room 2R90, 100 Alabama Street, S.W.</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3104</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:13.333px; margin-bottom:0px; "><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; ">Appearances:  </span></p>
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				<p style="text-indent:1.27cm; "> </p>
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				<p style="text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; ">Jaslyn W. Johnson</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; ">, Esquire, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Atlanta, Georgia</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-left:48px; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; ">For the Secretary</span></p>
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				<p> </p>
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				<p><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; ">McCord Wilson</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; ">, Esquire, Rader & Campbell, P.C.</span></p>
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				<p><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>For the Respondent</span></p>
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				<p> </p>
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				<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">BEFORE:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Administrative Law Judge Heather A. Joys</span></p>
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				<p> </p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">DECISION AND ORDER</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Secretary of Labor</span><span style="text-transform:uppercase;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> </span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> Complainant,</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> </span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">                        v.</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> OSHRC Docket<span>
									</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">No.<span>
									</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">6-1984</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Empire Roofing Company of Georgia, Inc.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">           Respondent.</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:1px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> </span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; ">While returning to their office from an inspection, two Compliance Safety and Health<span>
					</span>Officers<span><span></span>
					</span>(CSHO) from the Atlanta West OSHA area office observed a group of men working on the roof of a Comfort<span>
					</span>Suites<span><span></span>
					</span>in<span><span></span>
					</span>Columbus, Georgia. The men did not appear to be using any type of fall protection. The CSHOs stopped and initiated an inspection, calling the men down off the roof. As they descended in an aerial lift, the men<span>
					</span>did not have on harnesses and were not tied off to the lift.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The CSHOs later discovered the men worked for Empire Roofing Company of Georgia, Inc.,<span><span></span>
					</span>(Empire) and had been applying a sealing material to the roof. During the course of their inspection, the CSHOs learned at least one Empire employee on site had not been trained on the hazards associated with the chemicals the<span><span></span>
					</span>men<span><span></span>
					</span>were using to repair the roof. </p>
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				<p style="line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Based on the inspection, the Secretary issued<span>
					</span>Empire<span><span></span>
					</span>a serious citation alleging two violations<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>an other<span><span></span>
					</span>than serious<span>
					</span>citation<span><span></span>
					</span>alleging one violation. Item 1, Citation 1,<span><span></span>
					</span>alleges<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>serious<span>
					</span>violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.453(b)(2)(v) for<span>
					</span>failing<span><span></span>
					</span>to ensure employees<span><span></span>
					</span>wore a personal fall arrest system while riding in<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>aerial lift. Item<span>
					</span>2, Citation 1,<span><span></span>
					</span>alleges<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span><span></span>
					</span>serious<span><span></span>
					</span>violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(1) for not ensuring employees<span><span></span>
					</span>were protected from falls<span>
					</span>while working on<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>roof of<span>
					</span>the building. The Secretary proposed penalties for the violations in<span>
					</span>the amount<span>
					</span>of $2,272.00 and $3,741.00, respectively, for a<span>
					</span>total<span><span></span>
					</span>proposed penalty of $6,013.00. Item 1, Citation 2,<span><span></span>
					</span>alleges an other<span>
					</span>than serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1200(h)(1) for<span>
					</span>failing<span><span></span>
					</span>to train at least one employee on the chemicals<span><span></span>
					</span>used onsite. The Secretary proposed no penalty for the other than serious citation. Empire timely contested the citations bringing the matter<span>
					</span>before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission pursuant to § 10(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act<span><span></span>
					</span>of 1970, 29 U.S.C. § 651- 678<span>
					</span>(the Act). </p>
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				<p style="line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>I held a hearing in this matter on March 16, 2017, in Atlanta, Georgia. The proceedings were conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Simplified Proceedings. 29 C.F.R.<span><span></span>
					</span>§§2200.200-211. The parties filed post-hearing briefs in this matter on<span><span></span>
					</span>May 8, 2017. </p>
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				<p style="line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>For the reasons that follow, Items<span>
					</span>1 and 2 of Citation 1<span><span></span>
					</span>are<span>
					</span>affirmed and a total penalty of $6,013.00 is assessed. Citation 2 is affirmed with no penalty assessed.<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">JURISDICTION</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">At the hearing, the parties stipulated that jurisdiction of this action is conferred upon the Commission pursuant to<span>
					</span>§<span><span></span>
					</span>10(c) of the Act (Tr.<span>
					</span>10). Empire<span><span></span>
					</span>also admits that at all times relevant to this action, it was an employer engaged in a business affecting interstate commerce within the meaning of<span>
					</span>§<span><span></span>
					</span>3(5) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 652(5) (Tr.<span>
					</span>10). Based upon the parties’<span>
					</span>stipulations<span><span></span>
					</span>and the record, I find the Commission has jurisdiction over this matter and Empire is an employer covered under the Act.</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">BACKGROUND</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Empire is a roofing company located in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area. It has a small workforce of approximately 20 employees<span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 295). It is organized into two divisions. The production division performs larger jobs involving installation<span>
					</span>of<span>
					</span>roofs. The service division performs smaller jobs including repairs (Tr. 247). The jobsite that was the subject of the inspection involved a roof repair and was being handled by the service division.</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The job was being performed by a four-man crew. The crew consisted of two employees who held the title of foreman and two laborers. Foreman 1 had the most experience with the company and had been designated as the person in charge of the job. None of the workers had long tenures with Empire. Foreman 2 and<span>
					</span>Laborer 1 (both of whom testified at the hearing) had been with the company less than<span>
					</span>one<span>
					</span>year at the time of the inspection<span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 106, 156).</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The inspection occurred on Monday, June 20, 2016. In the morning of that day,<span>
					</span>the crew had attended a<span>
					</span>tool box talk meeting in which the use of a personal fall arrest system had been the<span>
					</span>topic (Tr.<span>
					</span>138,<span>
					</span>170;<span>
					</span>Exh.<span>
					</span>R-6). The men<span>
					</span>then<span>
					</span>drove<span><span></span>
					</span>to the worksite<span><span></span>
					</span>to begin their work. Empire had rented an<span><span></span>
					</span>aerial lift to access the roof. Empire had issued each man a bucket that contained their personal protective equipment, including a harness and lanyard, and one roof anchor<span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 190). Once at the worksite, the men donned their harnesses and<span>
					</span>rode<span><span></span>
					</span>the aerial lift to the roof. They worked on the roof, using their personal fall arrest systems, until lunch. At lunch, they descended from the roof.</p>
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			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The job required the men to apply a coating material around pipes and the “coping laps” on<span><span></span>
					</span>the roof<span>
					</span>(Tr. 135). Coping laps are the overlapping pieces<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>form the seam of a metal roof (Tr. 47-48). The materials used for the process were<span>
					</span>Solargard<span><span></span>
					</span>6083 Base Coat,<span>
					</span>Solargard<span><span></span>
					</span>6083 Finish Coat,<span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>Solargard<span><span></span>
					</span>Fluoro-Prime (Exhs.<span><span></span>
					</span>C-8, C-9, C-10; Tr. 29-30, 135, 148).<span><span></span>
					</span>These materials were in<span>
					</span>5-gallon buckets in the truck. The buckets were labeled to indicate their contents.</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; ">As the men were descending for lunch, Jumper Collins, Empire’s service manager, arrived at the site. Collins’s<span><span></span>
					</span>duties include oversight of the crews working on service division jobs. He observed the men descend from the<span>
					</span>roof on the aerial lift<span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 191). According to Collins, the<span>
					</span>men were tied off<span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 191). The record is unclear as to when Collins left the worksite, particularly as to whether the men had returned to the roof before or after he had left.</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Around 5:00 p.m., CSHO<span><span></span>
					</span>Kelly<span>
					</span>Young and<span><span></span>
					</span>CSHO<span>
					</span>Dion<span><span></span>
					</span>Baker were driving past the worksite when they observed the men on the roof appearing not to be tied off<span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 19). They drove to the next exit and pulled off the highway. They proceeded to a location some distance from the worksite and took photographs. They then proceeded to the worksite where CSHO Young went to meet the hotel manager and CSHO Baker called for the men to come down from the roof<span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 20). As they descended in the aerial lift, CSHO Baker took photographs of the men. None were tied off while in the lift<span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 22;<span>
					</span>Exhs.<span>
					</span>C-2 and C-3). CSHO Young then spoke with the two foremen while CSHO Baker spoke with the two laborers<span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 71).<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><a name="ftnref1" href="#ftn1">1</a></span> Both laborers told<span>
					</span>CSHO Baker they had been tied off all day, except for when they were “finishing up.” (Tr. 31-32). According to CSHO Young, the foremen told her they had been wearing fall protection all day, but had become tired of wearing it so they took it off (Tr. 72). Laborer 1 testified at the time the<span>
					</span>inspectors<span><span></span>
					</span>arrived they “had already taken off our harnesses and<span>
					</span>taken<span><span></span>
					</span>everything off the roof...” (Tr. 163). They chose to untie at the end of the day because, according to Laborer 1,<span><span></span>
					</span>“we’re finished. And we’re thinking, hey, with the little stuff we’ve got, take five minutes and we’re off the roof. So we<span>
					</span>was<span><span></span>
					</span>just<span>
					</span>tired, it was hot. We were just ready to get<span>
					</span>off the<span><span></span>
					</span>roof.” (Tr. 175). Foreman<span>
					</span>2<span><span></span>
					</span>testified they had been working without fall protection about<span><span></span>
					</span>10 to 15 minutes when the CSHOs arrived (Tr. 109).<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><a name="ftnref2" href="#ftn2">2</a></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:13.333px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Based on the inspection, CSHO Young recommended Empire be issued citations for violations of the standards at 29 C.F.R.<span>
					</span>§§ 1926.453(b)(2)(v) and<span>
					</span>1926.501(b)(1) for<span>
					</span>failure<span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>tie off while working on the aerial lift<span><span></span>
					</span>and the roof, respectively. Based upon Laborer 1’s statements to CSHO Baker,<span>
					</span>CSHO Young also recommended an other than serious citation be issued to Empire for failure to train<span>
					</span>Laborer<span><span></span>
					</span>1 on the hazards associated with the chemicals<span><span></span>
					</span>the men were using on the roof,<span><span></span>
					</span>in violation of 29 C.F.R.<span>
					</span>§<span>
					</span>1910.1200(h)(1) (Tr. 32).<span>
					</span>Empire timely contested the citations. Empire contends the employees’ failure to tie off was the result of unpreventable employee misconduct. In<span>
					</span>response<span><span></span>
					</span>to the other than serious violation of the hazard communication standard, Empire argues all employees were appropriately trained.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">DISCUSSION</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Secretary has the burden of establishing the employer violated the cited standards. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; ">To prove a violation of an OSHA standard, the Secretary must show by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) the cited standard applies; (2) the employer failed to comply with the terms of the cited standard; (3) employees had access to the<span>
					</span>violative<span><span></span>
					</span>condition; and (4) the cited employer either knew or could have known with the exercise of reasonable diligence of the<span>
					</span>violative<span><span></span>
					</span>condition. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">JPC Group, Inc.</span>, 22 BNA OSHC 1859, 1861 (No. 05-1907, 2009).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">Item 1, Citation 1: Alleged Violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.453(b</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">)(</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">2)(v)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span>Section 1926.453(b)(2)(v) requires the use of a fall restraint system “<span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">attached to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">boom or basket when working from an aerial lift.” Item 1, Citation 1,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">states</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Empire violated the standard when it “exposed two employees (roofers) to fall hazards while utilizing a JLG Industries, Inc., aerial lift (Model #450AJSII, Serial #0300108860) at a height of approximately 40 feet above the lower level without fall protection.” </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The Secretary alleges the roofers’ failure to don their personal fall arrest equipment while being lowered to the ground in the aerial lift violated the cited standard.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Applicability of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.453(b</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">)(</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">2)(v)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">There is no factual dispute the four Empire employees were using the aerial lift to access the roof. Empire contends the standard does not apply because<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">traveling in the lift to and from the work location is not<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">“working</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from an aerial lift.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">” The Commission has<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">previously addressed this issue and held the standard applicable when an employee is<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">being transported by an aerial lift to and from a work level. </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Salah &<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Pecci</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Construction Company, Inc</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">., 6 BNA OSHC 1688, 1689 (No. 15769, 1978);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">see also Empire Roofing</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, No. 13-1034 (ALJ March 14, 2014)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on other grounds</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>25 BNA OSHC 2221 (2016).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Empire urges I ignore the Commission’s holding in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Salah</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. It argues the Commission’s failure to “critically analyze the statutory language” call</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the decision into question and “vitiates its power as a precedent.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">(Respondent’s Post-Hearing Brief at p. 28).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> Whether I agree with Commission precedent or not, I am bound by it. The Commission</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">’s holding in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Salah</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is directly on point and the Commission</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>has not overturned<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">it</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, even when presented with the opportunity to do so. </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Empire Roofing</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 25 BNA OSHC 2221 (No. 13-1034, 2016).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The fact it is an older case does not negate or diminish its precedential value. “Judicial decisions, however, are not spoilable like milk. They do not have an expiration date and go bad merely with passage of time</span>.”<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Comtran</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Group, Inc. v. DOL</span>, 722 F.3d 1304, 1314 (11th Cir. 2013).<span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> The standard applies.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Failure to Comply and Employee Exposure to the Hazard</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">There is also no factual dispute Empire’s employees were in violation of the cited standard and were exposed to a fall hazard. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">CSHO</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Young and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">CSHO<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Baker observed the employees descending in the aerial lift without tying off</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exhs</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C-2 and C-3)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Foreman 2 and Laborer 1 admitted they had not worn their<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">harnesses</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>while descending in the lift (Tr. 108, 118, 130). </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The aerial lift was elevated approximately 40 feet in the air (Tr. 33). Empire’s employees were<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">exposed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to a fall of that distance.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Empire argues no violation of the standard can be found because CSHO Baker and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">CSHO<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Young induced its employees to violate the standard by calling them down from the roof in a manner that suggested such urgency they did not have time to put their harnesses back on and tie off to the lift. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Empire relies on the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Commission</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>holdings in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Inland Steel Co.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 12 BNA OSHC 1968 (No. 79-3286, 1986) and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">RGM<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Construction</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Co</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">., 17 BNA OSHC 1229 (No. 91-2107, 1995). </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Inland Steel</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>involved a general duty clause violation</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>alleging, in part, failure to have an adequate safety program ensuring employees were protected from working with unsafe railcars. As part of the Secretary’s proof of the inadequacy of the company’s safety program, the Secretary<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">presented</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>evidence certain employees were required or permitted to step between railcars to manually open couplers because the cars were either missing, or had defective, coupling devices. In support of this allegation, the CSHO testified he observed an employee step between<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">railcars</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to manually lift a coupling pin. The Commission found this could not form the basis for a violation because the employee had done so only upon request of the CSHO to demonstrate how an accident had occurred. The Commission held “Exposure to hazards due to complying with an OSHA inspector’s perceived request is not grounds for issuance of a citation.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Inland Steel</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">12 BNA OSHC at<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">1983<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">(citations omitted).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>In<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">RGM</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, the Commission reached a different conclusion.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The employer in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">RGM</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was engaged<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">in a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>bridge construction project. On the day of the inspection, a foreman was in the process of attaching cables that would later be used as lifelines when his attention was caught by the CSHO calling to him from a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">completed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>portion of the bridge. The<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">foreman</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>believed the CSHO to be a motorist in need of assistance. He unhooked his lanyard and walked across a beam to the CSHO without<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">using<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">fall protection. The Commission<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">held<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Inland</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Steel</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was not applicable in that instance because no inspection had begun and the foreman was not acting in compliance with a directive of what he believed to be a government official. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Because</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the foreman “elected</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, however,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to walk along the beam without fall protection, voluntarily causing his exposure to the hazard” the Commission found it was compelled to find a violation.</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "> RGM,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">17 BNA OSHC at 1233.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Similarly</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, here, the exposure to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">violative</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>conduct occurred before the inspection. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">When CSHO Baker and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">CSHO<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Young arrived, the crew was working 40 feet<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">above</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ground without any apparent form of fall protection. It was reasonable for CSHO Baker to call for the men</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>he perceived to be exposed to a fall hazard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to come down</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from the roof</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The crew had no<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">idea why they were being summoned down from the roof. Laborer 1 testified he remained on the roof while the other three crew members descended in the lift. He testified, the crew was about to don their harnesses, but didn’t because they were “rushed to the ground.” </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">(Tr. 160).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> He later, somewhat inconsistently, testified Laborer 2 had his harness on both when descending and when returning to retrieve him in the lift (Tr. 161). </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">I</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">f Laborer 2 had time to don his harness and tie off,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Foreman 1 or Foreman 2 did as well.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> Laborer 1 provide</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">d</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">no</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>explanation as to why he could not have donned his harness while waiting to be retrieved.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">In<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">choosing</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not to do so, Laborer 1 voluntarily caused his own exposure. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">When asked why they did not have on their harnesses prior to being summoned down, Foreman 2 testified “Because we finish the job. It was the end of the day, so we take it off. We take it off and put it in the lift. We’re ready to come down. So we ready to come down, so we take it off on that other roof.” This testimony suggests the crew had taken off their harnesses in anticipation of riding down in the lift prior to the arrival of the inspectors. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Under the circumstances, I am not persuaded</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Foreman 2, and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Laborer 1<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">were</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>induced to ride the aerial lift without fall protection.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Employer Knowledge</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Default style_Default " style="line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; ">To establish employer knowledge of a violation the Secretary must show the employer<span>
					</span>knew,<span><span></span>
					</span>or with the exercise of reasonable diligence could have known of a hazardous condition.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Dun Par Engineered Form Co</span>., 12 BNA OSHC 1962, 1965-66 (No. 82-928, 1986). Because corporate employers can only obtain knowledge through their agents, the actions and knowledge of supervisory personnel are generally imputed to their employers, and the Secretary can make a prima facie showing of knowledge by proving a supervisory employee knew of or was responsible for the violation. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Todd Shipyards Corp</span>., 11 BNA OSHC 2177, 2179 (No. 77-1598, 1984);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see also</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Dun Par Engineered Form Co</span>., 12 BNA OSHC 1962 (No. 82-928, 1986) (the actual or constructive knowledge of an employer’s foreman can be imputed to the employer). Actual knowledge refers to an awareness of the existence of the conditions allegedly in noncompliance. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Omaha Paper Stock Co.</span>, 19 OSHC 2039 (No. 01-3968, 2002). An employer is chargeable with knowledge of conditions which are plainly visible to its supervisory personnel. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">A.L. Baumgartner Construction Inc</span>., 16 BNA OSHC 1995, 1998 (No 92-1022, 1994). Both Foreman 1 and Foreman 2 were in violation of the requirement to tie off in<span>
					</span>an<span><span></span>
					</span>aerial lift and were in a position to observe Laborer 1 doing so as well. Foreman 2 testified foremen for Empire have the authority to direct the work on<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>job, correct employees, and issue safety violation<span>
					</span>warnings. Collins testified Foreman 1 was in charge of the worksite (Tr. 207). Foreman 1’s knowledge of his own<span>
					</span>violative<span><span></span>
					</span>conduct and that of<span><span></span>
					</span>his crew is imputed to Empire. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Quinlan d/b/a Quinlan Enterprises v. Secretary of Labor</span>, 812 F.3d 832 (11<span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Cir. 2016).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The Secretary has met her burden to establish a prima face case of a violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.453(b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">)(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">2)(v)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">Item 2, Citation 1: Alleged Violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b</span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">)(</span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">1)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Section 1926.501(b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">)(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">1) requires<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Item 2, Citation 1</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>states Empire violated the standard when it “exposed two employees (roofers) to fall hazards while sealing coping laps on the roof of the building at a height of approximately 40 feet above the lower level without fall protection.” The Secretary alleges Empire employees were observed working on the roof of the Comfort Suites without any type of fall protection.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>As with Item 1</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Citation 1, there are few facts in dispute with regard to the alleged violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">)(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">1). Empire employees were working on a working surface more than 6 feet from the ground (Tr. 33). There were no guardrails or other protection along the edge of the roof</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exhs</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>C-4, C-6, and C-7)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. All four employees were working without any type of personal fall arrest system</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 108</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>-<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">113)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. All were exposed to a fall of approximately 40 feet. As shown in the photographs<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">taken</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by CSHO Baker, the employees are working in proximity to the unprotected edge of the roof (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exhs</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. C-<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">4, C-6, and C-7).<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Foreman 1’s knowledge of his own<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">violative</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>conduct, as well as his three crew members is imputed to Empire.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Id</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The Secretary has established a prima facie case of a violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">)(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">1).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">Unpreventable Employee Misconduct Defense</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Empire contends Items 1 and 2, Citation 1, are the result of unpreventable employee misconduct. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The Commission has recognized the affirmative defense of unpreventable employee misconduct when<span>
						</span></span>“the actions of the employee were a departure from a uniformly and effectively communicated and enforced work rule.”<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Archer-Western Contractors, Ltd.</span>, 15 BNA<span>
					</span>OSHC 1013, 1017 (No. 87-1067, 1991);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">see also Daniel Int’l Co. v. OSHRC</span>, 683 F.2d 361, 364 (11th Cir. 1982). <span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">To prevail on the affirmative defense of unpreventable employee misconduct, an employer must show that it has (1) established work rules designed to prevent the violation, (2) adequately communicated those rules to its employees, (3) taken steps to discover violations, and (4) effectively enforced the rules when violations have been discovered.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g.,</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Stark Excavating, Inc.</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 24 BNA OSHC 2218 (Nos. 09-0004 and 09-0005, 2014),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Manganas</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Painting Co.</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 21 BNA OSHC 1964, 1997 (No. 94-0588, 2007).</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> Where, as here, “</span>a supervisory employee is involved, the proof of unpreventable employee misconduct is more rigorous and the defense is more difficult to establish since it is the supervisor's duty to protect the safety of employees under his supervision.”<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Archer-Western</span>, 15 BNA OSHC at 1017.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Based upon the record as a whole, I find Empire has<span>
					</span>not met its burden.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Empire established it had a rule addressing both the need for fall protection while working at heights above 6 feet, including when working in an aerial lift (Tr. 275-76;<span>
					</span>Exhs.<span>
					</span>R-1 and R-6 p. 5). Empire’s written fall protection program requires a fall arrest system be used whenever “fall hazards cannot be eliminated through other means.” (Exh.<span><span></span>
					</span>R-1 p. 3). According to Laborer 1,<span>
					</span>Empire’s rule was to tie off in an aerial lift (Tr. 165). Empire provided employees with the equipment necessary to tie off.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Empire took steps to ensure their rules were communicated to its employees. Upon hire, employees attend an initial 3 -5<span>
					</span>hour<span><span></span>
					</span>training covering a variety of topics (Tr. 165, 207). This training is provided by Engineering Safety Consultants (ESC) (Tr. 277). ESC is an independent consulting company that provides services such as safety training and worksite inspections (Tr. 271). Empire hired ESC to perform the work of a fulltime safety manager because it was less costly (Tr. 296). ESC conducts the new<span>
					</span>hire<span><span></span>
					</span>or initial training in both English and Spanish (Tr. 145, 219, 274). The training includes a live instructor, a written presentation (or slides), and a demonstration using a mock-up of a roof (Tr. 184-85, 207, 273-74). ESC conducts annual training sessions for all Empire employees (Tr. 187-88, 277). It also performs training “as needed.”<span>
					</span>(Tr. 277). Documentary evidence established ESC provided Empire employees 18 training session from 2013 -2016, including two identified as new hire training<span>
					</span>(Exh.<span>
					</span>R-3).<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><a name="ftnref3" href="#ftn3">3</a></span> Laborer 2 received his new hire training and a supplementary training in fall protection in 2015<span>
					</span>(Exh.<span>
					</span>R-3 pp. 13-15). Laborer 1 and Laborer 2 received training on leading edge work and skylights in March of 2016 (Exh.<span>
					</span>R-3 p. 4). Laborer 1 received training on fall protection again on May 3, 2016 (Exh.<span>
					</span>R-3 p. 17). Foreman 1 had attended six training sessions in three years specifically addressing fall hazards and fall protection (Exh. R-3 pp. 1, 4, 9, 10, 12, and 15).<span>
					</span> Records show Foreman 2 attended one session provided by ESC on fall protection in December of 2015 (Exh.<span>
					</span>R-3 p. 16).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Collins routinely conducts tool box talks on Monday mornings with his crews (Tr. 170, 181, 184). Collins conceded these were<span><span></span>
					</span>not conducted in Spanish as he does not speak Spanish (Tr. 220). The Monday of the inspection, the crew<span>
					</span>attended a<span><span></span>
					</span>weekly tool box talk in which the use of harnesses was the topic (Exh.<span>
					</span>R-6 pp. 3-4). Aerial lift safety<span>
					</span>had<span><span></span>
					</span>been the topic of the tool box talk two weeks prior (Exh.<span>
					</span>R-6 pp. 5-6).<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><a name="ftnref4" href="#ftn4">4</a></span> Foreman 1 and Foreman 2 had attended both. Empire has established it had work rules designed to prevent the violation and it communicated those rules to employees.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Having established the first two elements of the unpreventable employee misconduct defense, Empire must show it took steps to ensure its rules were foll</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">owed. Empire must establish<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">it<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">ma</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">de adequate efforts to discover</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>violations and, when violations were found, to correct them through discipline</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Collins goes to each of the worksites over which he has supervisory<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">authority at</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">least three</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>times per week (Tr. 131, 193).<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Collins had been to the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>worksite the day of the inspection and observed the crew using appropriate fall protection. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Empire also uses ESC’s services to conduct random, unannounced, inspections of its worksites. ESC conducts 10 of these inspections per month of both Empire’s service and production divisions (Tr. 271). ESC produces a written report of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">these inspection</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for Empire (Tr. 272</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 279</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C-12 and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">R-5).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Empire has established it took reasonable steps<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">to detect violations of its work rules</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>It is not enough that Empire detected violations. Empire must also have taken steps to correct violations through effective enforcement of its rules. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">In assessing the effectiveness of Empire’s enforcement efforts, I have considered the fa</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">ct the entire crew, including two</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employees with the title of foreman, were engaged in the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">violative</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>conduct. The Commission<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">has held “the unanimity of such noncomplying conduct suggests ineffective enforcement of the work rule.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">GEM Industries, Inc</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">., 17 BNA OSHC 1861, 1965 (No. 93-1122, 1996).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> “A supervisor’s breach [of] a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">company</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>safety policy is strong evidence that implementation of the policy is lax.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Jensen Construction Co</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">., 7 BNA OSHC 1477, 1480 (No. 76-1538, 1979).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Although Foreman 2 was not “in charge” of the worksite, in giving him the title of foreman, Empire entrusted him with authority. Foreman 2 testified he could have directed the two laborers on the worksite to don their harnesses (Tr. 107). Because Empire had two individuals on the worksite with the title and authority of foremen, the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">efficacy of its safety program, in particular its enforcement<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">efforts</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>must be given heightened scrutiny.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Collins testified Empire has a progressive disciplinary policy (Tr. 195). First offenses receive a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>verbal<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">warning</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">; a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">second offens</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">e may receive a written warning; a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>third offense may result in termination. Collins<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">testified</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>there was some<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">flexibility</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in the program. For example, an employee may receive more than one verbal<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">warning</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>depending on the severity of the offense (Tr. 195). He does not generally document verbal warnings. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">He</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>stated he</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is able to keep track of employees who a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">re</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>repeat offenders because he has a small workforce under his supervision (Tr. 200). He testified he addresses both those offenses he observes as well as those reported to him from the ESC inspectors (Tr. 201</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 205</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">). He testified he always administers some type of discipline if an ESC report indi</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">cates a safety violation (Tr. 22</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">2). </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>An ESC inspector testified he raises any safety violations he observes with the foreman on site and had observed the foreman administering discipline, including written warnings (Tr. 286-87).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Collins broad description of Empire’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">enfor</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">cement efforts suggests a robust program. The heighted scrutiny required in this case, however, requires I look to the details. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">In this case, the devil is in the details.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>At the beginning of each work day, Empire requires its crews to complete a “job inspection check list.” (Tr. 138,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. R-4</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">) According</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to Foreman 2, this is done to ensure the worksite is safe and to ensure the employees know what safety equipment is required (Tr. 138). The completed list for the day of the inspection contains inaccuracies. Foreman 1, who completed the sheet, checked “yes” for use of a safety monitor, although the testimony was consistent that the form of fall protection being used was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">a personal</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fall arrest system. Laborer 1 signed the document indicating he understood the hazards of the chemicals in use. He admitted at the hearing that he is still unaware of those hazards. The form is written in English. Foreman<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">2 testified he complete</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>these forms when he is the foreman (Tr. 139). Empire contends Foreman 2 is not able to read English. Based on a careful review of these records, Empire’s job inspection check list appears to be nothing more than a paper requirement.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">I find<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">the evidence upon which Empire relied to establish<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">it effec</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">tively enforced its program<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">unconvincing.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The record contains 12 records of written disciplinary warnings issued by Empire (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">R-8).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> One is from 2011; the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">remainder</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>are</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from 2014 and 2015. Other than the disciplinary records for violations found at the June 20</span><span style="color:#000000; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>inspection, there are none from 2016. The form itself allows for a notation whether<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">it<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">is a first, second, or final warning.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> Collins’s testimony about how the progressive discipline was administered was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">vague</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 195-96). </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">His</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>testimony regarding the manner in which the disciplinary forms are completed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was shifting</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. He testified with regard to Exhibit R-8:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: The next page is a disciplinary notice for a person named</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>[redacted]</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. Do you recall that?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: Yes. This says “safety protocol” but I’m not sure why.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: This is from 2014, correct?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: 3/6/2014. This is before me, before I started. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Again...</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: Well, that’s your signature down at the bottom, right?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: Right, uh huh. A lot of times, sometimes...I won’t say a lot but sometimes, I’ll end up signing the write up that somebody<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">else</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>wrote because they weren’t in the office or they<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">seen</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it and they’ll call it in and put the write up on my desk for so and so. And I’ll just sign off on it because he’s not one of my guys.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">(Tr. 201).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Collins does not document verbal warnings and signs off on written discipline for violations he did not witness and for employees he does not supervise (Tr. 196, 201).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> Empire’s haphazard method of documenting discipline undermines the effectiveness of its program.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Collins assertion that discipline is always administered for safety violations is<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">belied</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by the record. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">ESC inspection reports for 2016 show<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">violations of Empire’s fall protection program on eight dates (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. C-12 pp. 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, and 33); failure of the monitor to wear a high visibility vest on three dates (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C-12 pp. 1, 3, and 5); and failure to properly protect skylights or other holes on two dates (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C-12 pp. 5 and 20).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> ESC reports from 2015 show improperly erected warning lines on three dates (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C-12 pp. 22, 28, and 30).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The record contains no documentary evidence establishing discipline was administered to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">any<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Empire<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">employee for these infractions. Collins testified<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">two of the crews cited in the reports are<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">under his supervision</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 251-61;<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. C-12 pp. 3, 5, 11,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">and 24</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The same service<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">division</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>foreman oversaw worksites at which<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">ESC found violations of Empire</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">’</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">s fall protection rules<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">on four occasions from October 6, 2015, through April 19, 2016 (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C-12 pp. 3, 5, 24, and 33).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> The</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>record<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">contains one written disciplinary record for that foreman from December of 2015 (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. R-8), but none after, despite having repeatedly allowed unsafe work conditions at his worksite</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">This foreman was under Collins’s supervision.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Collins’s testimony regarding the handling of this foreman’s discipline calls into question Empire’s claim it administers a progressive disciplinary policy. With regard to the March 29, 2016, ESC report on the foreman, Collins testified as follows:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: What did you ...what, if anything, did you do about that issue that ESC found?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: I would get with them the next morning and I would show them this report. And I would address it verbally with them.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: Did you, in fact, do that on this occasion?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: Oh, yeah.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: Did you issue [redacted] a verbal warning?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: Yes.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: Did you issue him a written warning?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: I don’t think so.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: Okay. Was it<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">[redacted] first safety offense</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of any kind?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: Safety? No. I mean, I’m sure I could find something on him somewhere.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: Had you issued a verbal safety warning to him before?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: Not in regard to the same exact thing I wouldn’t say.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: Have you issued him a verbal warning for something else?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: Probably.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">251-52)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">ESC found similar violation</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of fall protection requirements at that same foreman’s worksite the following day (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C-12 p. 5).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> When asked how those infractions were handled, Collins testified:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: Now this is the day after the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">previous one, correct?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: Yes.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: Did you discipline him two separate times or just the one time?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: Probably both separate times.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: Okay. Why didn’t you go to a written warning or did you provide a written warning the second time?</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: I may have. I don’t know. I don’t know if I did. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">If I had my write ups so I could find them<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">o lo</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">o</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">k for them.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> But if it’s two separate issues, it may be two<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">separate<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">verbals</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. He may not have gotten to a written just yet.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Q: You can’t recall one way or the other.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">A: Right.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">(Tr. 253-54).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">When confronted with the most recent ESC report of violations at<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">that</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">same foreman’s worksite<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">one month later</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, Collins attempted to explain away not having disciplined anyone by testifying the employees were in the beginning stages of work (Tr. 261). This assertion is disproved by the report itself (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C- 12 p. 33-35).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Based on the record as a whole, I find Empire’s enforcement program lax</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. </span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Collins</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>testified he uses verbal warnings and corrective action, which he keeps track of in his head</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, but his<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">recall of past<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">discipline</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">was</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>wanting (Tr. 251-257). In<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Stark Excavating, Inc</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">., 24 BNA OSHC 2215 (Nos. 09-0004 and 09-0005, 2014), the Commission recognized<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">verbal warnings may be adequate in certain cases,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">but where</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the employer’s policy expressly required written warnings, “giving only oral warnings undermined the policy’s progressive nature.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Id</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. at<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">2221.</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">citing</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">GEM Industrial, Inc.</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 17 BNA OSHC 1891 (No. 93-1122, 1996). Moreover, the Commission found the employer’s evidence lacking for failure to provide documentation of any verbal warnings. In so holding, the Commission relied on its prior holdings in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Precast Services, Inc.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">17 BNA OSHC 1454 (No. 93-2971, 1995) and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Rawson Contractors, Inc</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">., 20 BNA OSHC 1078 (No. 99-0018, 2003), in which it found, although verbal warnings may suffice, it is the rare case and generally requires a showing of a long history of safe work practices despite frequent opportunities for violations and evidence of actually having administered the discipline.</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> The record</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>here</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>establishes to the contrary. When notified of safety violations, Empire did little more than counsel and verbally<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">warn</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employees</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, even for repeated infractions</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Empire contends many more<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">d</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">ocuments</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exist than it submitted into the record. It argues it only submitted disciplinary records for the service division. This is inconsistent with Collins’s testimony<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">at lea</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">st one of the records was for a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">n</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employee who was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">“not one of my guys.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">(Tr. 201).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> When asked whether the documents in Exhibits R-7 and R-8 constituted all the disciplinary documents he had issued, Collins testified they were not. Empire argues Exhibits R-7 and R-8 are not “an exhaustive list” of all discipline ever issued by Empire and that it is not required to “burden the court with a three-inch stack of disciplinary documents.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Empire’s assertion in its brief that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">a three-inch stack of disciplinary records exists is not<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">supported by<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">record evidence.</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> Crediting Collins’s testimony, Empire established there are more documents</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.</span><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><a name="ftnref5" href="#ftn5">5</a></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> It did not establish how many<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">records exist, the dates of those records, the nature of the discipline, or for what<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">violations</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>discipline was issued. </span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Empire has the burden to produce evidence of enforcement of its safet</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">y rules. It chose to submit a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">sampling. It did so at its own peril. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">I have only the record before me and b</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">ased on<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">that record</span><span style="color:#252525; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, I find Empire has failed to establish it followed its own progressive disciplinary policy when enforcing its safety rules.</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Empire has failed to meet its burden to establish the violations alleged in Item 1 and Item 2, Citation 1, were the result of unpreventable employee misconduct.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">Classification of Item 1 and Item 2, Citation 1</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The Secretary contends th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">e violations alleged in Item 1 and Item 2, Citation 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were serious. A violation is serious when “there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result” from the hazardous condition at issue.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">29 U.S.C. § 666(k).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The Secretary need not show that there was a substantial probability that an accident would occur; only that if<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>accident did occur, death or serious physical harm would result. As the Third Circuit has explained:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">It is well-settled that, pursuant to § 666(k), when the violation of a regulation makes the occurrence of an accident with a substantial probability of death or serious physical harm<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">possible</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, the employer has committed a serious violation of the regulation. The “substantial probability” portion of the statute refers not to the probability that an accident will occur but to the probability that, an accident having occurred, death or serious injury could result, even in those cases in which an accident has not occurred or, in fact, is not likely to occur.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Secretary of Labor v. Trinity Industries</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 504 F.3d 397, 401 (3d Cir. 2007) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">See also, Phelps Dodge Corp. v. OSHRC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 725 F.2d 1237, 1240 (9</span><span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Cir. 1984);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Mosser</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Construction</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 23 BNA OSHC 1044, 1046 (No. 08-0631, 2010);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Dec-Tam Corp.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 15 BNA OSHC 2072, 2087-2088 (No. 88-0523, 1993). The likelihood of an accident goes to the gravity of the violation, which is a factor in determining an appropriate penalty.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">J.A. Jones Constr. Co.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 15 BNA OSHC at 2214.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Both violations alleged in Item 1 and Item 2, Citation 1, exposed employees to a 40 foot<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">fall. It is undisputed a fall from such a height could result in death or other serious injury. Item 1 and Item 2, Citation 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>are properly classified as serious violations.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">Item 1, Citation 2: Alleged Violation of 29 C.F.R.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">§<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">1910.1200(h</span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">)(</span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">1)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Section 1910.1200(h</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">)(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">1) requires the employer to<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">provide</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and safety data sheets.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Item 1, Citation 2, alleges the employer did not “provide training specific to the hazard of chemical</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>used at the establishment to all employees working with hazardous chemicals” including “</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Solargard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Fluoro</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">-Prime,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Solargard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>6083 Finish Coat, and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Solargard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>6083 Based Coat.” The Secretary alleges<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Laborer 1<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">and Foreman 2 were<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">not trained on the hazards associated with working with the listed products.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Section 1910.1200, or the Hazard Communication standard, applies where chemicals are “present in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">foreseeable</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>emergency.” </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">It is undisputed the Empire crew was using the chemicals listed in the citation at the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">worksite</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 162;<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exhs</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C-8, C-9, and C-10).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> Empire does not dispute that these chemicals were hazardous (Tr. 78;<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C-11).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> The standard applies.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The Secretary contends<span>
					</span>neither Foreman 2 nor<span><span></span>
					</span>Laborer 1 had not received hazard communication training. CSHO Young testified she requested training documentation during the inspection, but received none confirming Foreman 2 or Laborer 1 had received hazard communication training (Tr. 77). She conceded documentation of training for other employees was provided. The<span><span></span>
					</span>record contains<span>
					</span>no documentary evidence establishing<span>
					</span>Foreman 2<span><span></span>
					</span>received hazard communication training. He testified he received new hire training, but there is also no documentary evidence to support that assertion. Foreman 2 testified he knew how to read an MSDS, but was never asked when he was trained to do so. Nor was he asked at the hearing whether he knew the hazards associated with the chemicals he was using. The Secretary has the burden to prove Foreman 2 also had not received hazard communication training. Based on this record, I find the Secretary has failed to do so.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Laborer 1 testified he did not know the hazards associated with the chemicals he was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">using</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 102)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. Although he testified he had received new hire training, there is no documentary evidence corroborating he attended such training. Nor does the record contain any information about what that training covered with regard to Laborer 1 specifically. Laborer 1 further testified that although he had received some training on reading a material safety data sheet (MSDS), he could not recall whether it was before or after the inspection (Tr. 179). He testified<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Empire</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>had a book containing MSDS’s, but did not know whether it existed prior to the inspection and conceded it was not present at the worksite (Tr. 181). The<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">preponderance</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of the evidence establishes Laborer 1 was not trained on the hazards of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">chemicals</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with which he was working.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Empire argues<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">the standard does not require the employer provide chemical-specific information and training, citing to the Commission’s holding<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Cagle’s Inc.,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>21 BNA OSHC 1738 (No. 98-0485, 2006). </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">In<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Cagle’s,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Commission held under the plain language of the standard, “an employer complies ...by informing employees of the dangers posed by<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">chemicals</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>falling into the relevant ‘categories of hazard,’ identifying their<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">location</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in the plant or the process in which they are used and training employees on those hazard categories.” </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">21 BNA OSHC at 1744.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> The record as a whole establishes Empire did not meet this standard. Empire produced records of training, including hazard communication training, but none indicate Laborer 1 received that training. Laborer 1 could not identify any of the hazards associated with the chemicals present at the worksite with which he was working. The record establishes not only that Empire<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">failed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to provide chemical-specific training to Laborer<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">1,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">failed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to provide him any training regarding the chemical</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in use. The Secretary has met her burden.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Reasonable diligence required Empire be aware of the chemicals used by its employees at the worksite and ensure they were trained in those hazards. Empire had constructive<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">knowledge</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of both the use of the chemicals by its employees and the fact they had failed to provide any type of training to at least one employee using those chemicals.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The Secretary alleged Item 1, Citation 2, was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">an other</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>than serious violation. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The Act does</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not define what constitutes<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">an</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>other</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>than serious violation. It does provide<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">definitions</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of both de<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">mi</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">nimis</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and serious<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">violations</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. The<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Commission has recognized<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">an</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>other</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>than serious violation falls somewhere between the two. </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Crescent Warf and Warehouse Co.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, 1 BNA OSHC 1219, 1222 (No. 1, 1973).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">It has defined<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">an<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">other</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>than serious<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">violation as having “</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">a direct and immediate relationship between the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">violative</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>condition and occupational<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">safety</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and health, but<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">not of such relationship that a resultant injury or illness is death or serious physical harm.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Id</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">At least one of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">chemicals</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in use at the worksite was a carcinogen and hazardous if inhaled (Tr. 78;<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Exh</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">C-11).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> Ensuring employees are aware of such hazard when working with chemicals has a relationship to w</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">orker safety and health. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Item 1, Citation 2</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is properly classified as<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">an other</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>than serious violation. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">PENALTY DETERMINATION</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Commission is the final arbiter of penalties. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Hern</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Iron Works, Inc.</span>, 16 BNA OSHC 1619, 1622, (No. 88-1962, 1994),<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span>, 937 F.2d 612 (9th Cir. 1991) (table);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">see<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Valdak</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Corp.</span>, 17 BNA OSHC 1135, 1138 (No. 93-0239, 1995) (“The [OSH] Act places limits for penalty amounts but places no restrictions on the Commission’s authority to raise or lower penalties within those limits.”),<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span>, 73 F.3d 1466 (8th Cir. 1996). In assessing a penalty, the Commission gives due consideration to all of the statutory factors with the gravity of the violation being the most significant. OSH Act § 17(j), 29 U.S.C. § 666(j);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Capform</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Inc.</span>, 19 BNA OSHC 1374, 1378 (No. 99-0322, 2001),<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span>, 34 F.<span>
					</span>App’x<span><span></span>
					</span>152 (5th Cir. 2002) (unpublished). <span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">“Gravity is a principal factor in a penalty determination and is based on the number of employees exposed, duration of exposure, likelihood of injury, and precautions taken against injury.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">20 BNA OSHC 2196, 2201 (No. 00-1052, 2005).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span>S<span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">ection 17(j) of the OSH Act, 29 U. S. C. § 666(j), requires the Commission to give due consideration to the gravity of the violation and the employer’s size, history of violation, and good faith.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Burkes Mechanical Inc.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">21 BNA OSHC 2136, 2142 (No. 04-0475, 2007).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The gravity of Item 1, Citation 1</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is moderate. The basket of the aerial lift provides some protection from falls and employees were exposed for a very short period of time. The likelihood of an injury is low, but if an accident were to occur, the injury could be death. Empire is a small employer with a variable workforce of 10 – 30 employees. There was no evidence of a history of violations and the company has taken steps toward protecting its workforce such as providing individual safety equipment and training. Empire is entitled to a reduction in the gravity based penalty. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The Secretary’s proposed penalty of $2</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">272.00 is appropriate.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The gravity of Item 2, Citation 1</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is high. The crew was working on a sloped metal roof in proximity to the edge. The entire crew was exposed to the hazard, but, for only a short period of time. As Laborer 1 testified, it was the end of the day and the crew was hot and tired. That is<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">exactly the time when they would be less<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">vigilant</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">. Under the circumstances, the likelihood of injury was high.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">I have considered the same reduction factors as with Item 1, Citation 1</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in assessing a penalty for Item 2, Citation 1. The Secretary’s proposed penalty of $3</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">741.00 is appropriate.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">The Secretary has not proposed a penalty for Item 1, Citation 2. Although the chemicals in use were hazardous if inhaled, the risk of inhalation was reduced due</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the employees working with the chemical outside where sufficient ventilation would have been provided (Tr. 83). The Secretary established exposure for only one employee. No penalty is<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">warranted</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; "><span class="IDD4MOHERMYYCOLQULQOT3S214RCYYKHBI55ACDTKTWV3LNFQ2APG">FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span class="IDHAIN1KKKUCIHF0XDS23531K3RE4ZAYU4RYHEQ4DMH5PECW2SF3N">The foregoing decision constitutes the findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; "><span class="IDQZOIEU0YN2PJPNBRFHVNCYV1QKY4MRUY1IBEJSYJY5VYOKSUOO">ORDER</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span class="IDKWBC3G0N2OYEE3YYAGC1BJEWGN3HO3I2G1JMQDDDIN4DZLL0RADE">Based upon the foregoing decision, it is ORDERED that:</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="color:#000000; padding-right:20px;">1.</span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="ID3COVJT002RD0GWZKJLCW1PS2DE2T0HW0RLJSSETAIBJ400FCPBF"><span><span></span>
						</span>Item 1, Citation 1, alleging a</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="ID5B51HIO21CRCL5GBW0O02UVM4JCUZHGTFUVEIEFVRMJXCUKEOTWM"><span><span></span>
						</span>serious</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="IDQMO4V42F5M5WEKKGE3KLHPMBJHZZE1W3TU3WU3BIPWTLIJCEFTSL"><span><span></span>
						</span>violation of<span>
						</span></span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="ID4CUMRYXYQFCVKJ1DXIVAX4XRZJDYIL1GFIVYWKPFSB0RCDZNJMJI">29 C.F.R. § 1926.453(b)(2)(v)</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="ID054WKY2V0ZC4LYBT3NVPZR52BGUIKT5Z3IV43IJKPYM2PTKGJXL"><span><span></span>
						</span>is affirmed, and a penalty of<span>
						</span></span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="ID1WJ3ZIBCCYTMFRESD1YMIW1GKDMCWEL0NSLI1MFLXFYG03ISHW4B">$2</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="IDL4LIEOJIPCK1MVU0Q4RKXDDZMCENVSIW2EEVBCLZVQDKIRNOGF0B">,</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="ID0MPGW5B5VAN2OFGG0LRXOE4PCLYS3JWBLZRR3FLU1PQT0LVC5DJM">272.0</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="IDNR4ULJKQWCOMGKIZBACO4YR34PBVQ0ITHBVVACFF2S1ZVRGNP0EB">0,</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="IDDKAVHJLBJCOOEHIKZBXDO0V5LMYK40IIJB5VDHCSRBP0ORMAEX2E"><span><span></span>
						</span></span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="IDSKBNSROTII2XHYMSOSPFKLDHGEVGRVS30RAQN2FJH5UIYTFYZMMF">is assessed;<span>
						</span></span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="color:#000000; padding-right:20px;">2.</span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="IDKLIHAUWXXMLOIH0UXEUOKHKXLJEA0YUMYHX13ZH2C3C1ECRJYULJ">Item 2, Citation 1, alleging a serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(1) is affirmed, and a penalty of $3</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="ID0H0ZBJNFW3EIBZGIRHFWYRDKMCI422XAYG2MLKFBIVE4WTHXDPIF">,</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="IDLQHTV2IO4IZ1KEKTYYVWE23OAEIS4KPNBR05MXEIXOCG5XXUEZAO">741.00</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="IDS51YN01BVYBBBTFXWDEOJRGA3EESYHFCFJF11IHANA0XFO04CFSF">,</span></span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span class="IDWQN4UTUBHKYIOBTPCMNE1C2SWMPEKYPSBKK2SNGQT0FKAMM2CBUE"><span><span></span>
						</span>is assessed; and<span>
						</span></span></span></p>
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				<span style="padding-right:20px;">1.</span>Item 1, Citation<span>
				</span>2 alleging an other than serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1200(h)(1) is affirmed, and no penalty is assessed.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:1.5; margin-left:72px; ">SO ORDERED.</p>
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					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">/s/</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
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				<p><span style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; font-weight:bold; ">Dated: May 18,</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>2017</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; font-weight:bold; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
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					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">HEATHER A. JOYS</span></p>
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					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
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					</span><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Administrative Law Judge</p>
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					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Atlanta, Georgia</p>
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					<a name="ftn-1" href="#ftnref-1"></a> </p>
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					<a name="ftn0" href="#ftnref0"></a> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1 </span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>I find Laborer 1’s testimony that CSHO Young required<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sign a blank sheet of paper which she later filled in</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>lacks<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">credibility</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">It is clear from the record<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the only documents related to Laborer 1 are unsigned<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">notes, taken by CSH</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">O Baker (Tr. 84).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">I found Laborer 1’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">demeanor on the stand<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to suggest a lack of credibility</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on this</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. He appeared</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>uncomfortable and evasive. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">To the extent Empire relies on this testimony to suggest CSHO Young<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">used “heavy handed”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or inappropriate tactics, such allegation is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">rejected.</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn2" href="#ftnref2"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">2 </span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Empire dedicates<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">a significant portion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of its post-hearing brief to a discussion of the credibility of CSHO Baker and CSHO Young</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, particularly where their testimony differs from that of Foreman 2 and Laborer 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Much of that discussion addresses immaterial factual disputes. With regard to disputes of material fact, I<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">have relied on photographic evidence and the testimony of Foreman 2 and Laborer 1. </span></p>
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					<a name="ftn3" href="#ftnref3"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">3 </span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The record contains no documentation of new hire training for Foreman 2 or Laborer 1.</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn4" href="#ftnref4"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">4 </span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Empire’s Fall Protection Program (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Exh</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. R-1) does not mention<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">tying</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>off in aerial lifts. The tool box talk Empire provided on June 6, 2016</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "> states</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“It is a good idea to tie off.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Exh</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>R-6 p. 5)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>only written rule in the record does not contain a strict requirement. Nevertheless, I find the preponderance of the evidence establishes Empire had a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">requirement to tie off of which employees were aware</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn5" href="#ftnref5"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; ">5 </span></a><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The Commission has recognized a party’s failure to submit documents under its control raises an inference those documents either do not exist or would not support its position.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Capeway</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Roofing Systems, Inc</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; ">., 20 BNA OSHC 1331 (No. 00-1968, 2003) (citations omitted);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">see also Regina Contr. Co.</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:10pt; ">, 15 BNA OSHC 1044, 1049 ((No. 87-1309, 1991).</span></p>
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