OSHA Inspection: SENECA OIL EQUIPMENT, L.L.C.

Issued

Jan 23, 2012

Abate by

Feb 13, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(i)(1):     Where the stability of adjoining buildings, walls, or other structures was endangered by excavation operations, support systems such as shoring, bracing or underpinning was not provided to ensure the stability of such structures for the protection of employees.    Seneca Construction, L.L.C. employees accessed and worked in an excavation 12.5 feet deep with an adjacent concrete vault that was not shored, braced, or underpinned to ensure the stability of that same structure.  The excavation was within 3.5 feet of the north end and 6.0 feet of the south end of the adjacent concrete vault.      Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirement of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 23, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $4,320

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(2):     Where the competent person found evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employee(s) was/were not removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety.    The on site competent person employed by Seneca Construction, L.L.C. did not remove employees from an excavation 12.5 feet deep where soil failure had occurred from the excavation faces.      No abatement documentation or certification is required for this item.

Issued

Jan 23, 2012

Abate by

Feb 13, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $0 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 29 CFR 1926.652(c). The employer had not complied with the provisions of 29 CFR 1926.652(b)(1)(i) in that the:    a)  Seneca Construction, L.L.C. employees were exposed to cave-in hazards while entering and working in an excavation 12.5 feet deep.  The area adjacent to the employee access point had a slope of 0.19 to 1.0.  Employees were spreading bedding adjacent to the south face of a benched excavation with a slope varying from:  0.5 to 1.0; 0.75 to 1.0; and 0.19 to 1.0.    b)  Seneca Construction, L.L.C. employees were exposed to cave-hazards while entering and working in an excavation 12.5 feet deep.  Employees were spreading bedding adjacent to the east face of a benched excavation with a slope varying from: 0.19 to 1.0 and 0.8 to 1.0.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).