OSHA Inspection: W.R.HODGSON & CO. INC.

Issued

Apr 25, 2000

Abate by

May 1, 2000

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $3,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employmnent and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to the hazard of falling into/being struck by equipment:
a)On or about 10/27/99, an employee standing near the edge of a
trench located at a construction site near the corner of Malone and
Stacy Road in Allen, Texas was exposed to the hazard of falling
into/being struck by the cutter mechanism of a Vermeer T955
trencher while he was holding a grading pole.
Acceptable means of abatement include, but are not limited to, the
following:
(1)Protecting the employee through location out of the
zone of danger as recommended by the trencher
manufacturer;
(2)Utilizing alternative methods of "shooting the
grade" which would permit a person to work
outside the zone of danger;
(3)Enhanced training on the recognition and avoidance
of all hazards associated with the specific methods
of trenching used by the employer.
OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE:
29 CFR 1926.652(k)(2):  Where there is evidence of a situation that could
result in a possible
cave-in, indications or failure of protective systems, hazardous
atmospheres, or other hazardous
conditions, exposed employees were not removed from the hazardous area
until the necessary
precautions were taken to ensure their safety:
a) On or about 10/27/99 and in contradiction to the manufacturer's
recommendation, an employee was permitted to stand near the
edge of a trench located at a construction site near the corner of
Malone and Stacy Road in Allen, Texas resulting in exposure to
the hazard of falling into/being struck by the cutter mechanism of
a Vermeer T955 trencher while he was holding a grading pole.