OSHA Inspection: HOWELL CONTRACTORS, INC.

Issued

2011-10-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2011-11-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4410.00 · Current $2200.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2):     The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe condition(s) and the regulation(s) applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazard(s) or other exposure to illness or injury:    (a) Howell Contractors, Inc. at the address of 980 Helen Ruth Drive, Fort Wright, Ky: The employer failed to instruct all employees in the recognition and avoidance of hazards commonly seen in the excavation industry. Employees engaged installing the new 6 inch water line at the Dahlia Rd. and Eckley Rd. Slip Line Project were not effectively trained to recognize effective and ineffective means of cave-in protection.

Issued

2011-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4410.00 · Current $2200.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1):     An inspection of the excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems was not conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift:    a)  At the Dahlia Rd. and Eckley Slip Line Project on Dahlia Rd. West of State Route 741, the employer failed to ensure that the inspection of the trench shield installed fully protected employees at the open end of the trench shield after the steel plates had been removed and that same trench shield protected the lower 4 feet of the trench. The need for adequate and effective cave-in protection while employees were working in the trench was not recognized.        b) West of State Route 741 on Dahlia Rd. and a section of the trench excavation with out trench protective system installed was not thoroughly inspected by the competent person to identify the total depth of that trench and the need for effective cave-in protection and allowed employee to work off a extension ladder down in the trench excavation to clean earthen material away from the existing 6 inch water main with a hand shovel and was exposed to cave-in(s).

Issued

2011-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4410.00 · Current $4410.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(a):     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 wit paragraph (b) or (c) of this section:    a) Located West of State Route 741 on Dahlia Rd. the employer did not provide cave-in protection system(s) or alternative sloping methods of protection for the employee who worked down in a 6 feet 10 inch trench off a extension ladder to clean earthen material away from the existing 6 inch water main utilizing a hand shovel and was exposed to the potential collapse of the trench side wall(s).

Issued

2011-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4410.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(g)(2):     Excavations of earth material to a level no greater than 2 feet (.61m) below the bottom of a shield was permitted:    a) On or about October 6, 2011, the receiving end trench excavation located on the west side of State Route 741 on Dahlia Rd. was excavated 4 feet lower than the installed trench shield and exposed employees to potential lower trench side wall collapse.