OSHA Inspection: HIGH PLAINS GRADING

Issued

Jun 6, 2011

Abate by

Sep 9, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $2,310 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(b)(4): While the excavation was opened, underground installations were not protected, supported or removed as necessary to safeguard employees:    a)  On or about March 31, 2011, employees were exposed to fire or explosion hazards while they worked in a trench with an exposed gas line which was not supported nor protected.  The line could have been damaged by equipment such as the excavator bucket making contact with it.        Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Sample Abatement-Certification Letter).

Issued

Jun 6, 2011

Abate by

Sep 9, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $2,310 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1):  Where portable ladders were used for access to an upper landing surface and the ladder's length allows, the ladder side rails did not extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface being accessed:    a)  On or about March 31, 2011, employees were exposed to fall hazards of about 9 feet while they worked in a trench and used a ladder that did not extend at least three feet above the ground.  Egress to and from the trench was made unstable and difficult because the ladder rails did not rise above the ground to give employees something to grip as they exited the trench.     Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Sample Abatement-Certification Letter).

Issued

Jun 6, 2011

Abate by

Sep 9, 2011

Penalty

Initial $30,800 · Current $21,560 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1): Each employee in an excavation was not protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of this section:    a)  On or about March 31, 2011, employees were exposed to cave-ins while they worked in a trench which was not protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system.  Employees worked in a trench which was approximately 9 feet deep, 9 feet wide and 16 feet long with walls cut straight at approximately a 90 degree angle to the base of the trench.  There was some undercutting and sloughing of soil visible.   On March 31, 2011, an employee was injured and trapped for hours after a large piece of the trench wall caved in on him.        Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Sample Abatement-Certification Letter).    High Plains Grading was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1) or its equivalent which was contained in OSHA inspection 311909550, Citation 2, Item 3, issued February 5, 2009, with respect to a workplace located at 2807 Champa Street, Denver, CO 80204.  This citation became final on February 19, 2009.    High Plains Grading was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1) or its equivalent which was contained in OSHA inspection 116116831, Citation 1, Item 2b, issued June 14, 2006, with respect to a workplace located at 11325 Columbine, Firestone, CO 80504.  This citation became final by June 26, 2006.

Issued

Jun 6, 2011

Abate by

Sep 9, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(2): Where a competent person found evidence of a situation that could result in a possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employees were not removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety:    a)  On or about March 31, 2011, employees were exposed to cave-ins while they worked in a trench which was not protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system.  Employees worked in a trench which was approximately 9 feet deep, 9 feet wide and 16 feet long with walls cut straight at approximately a 90 degree angle to the base of the trench.  There was some undercutting and sloughing of soil visible.   Though a competent person conducted on-going assessments of the trench as work progressed, the employees were not removed from it when he realized it had become hazardous and could result in a cave-in.  On March 31, 2011, an employee was injured and trapped for hours after a large piece of the trench wall caved in on him.        Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Sample Abatement-Certification Letter).