OSHA Inspection: PIPELINE INDUSTRIES, INC

Issued

2013-03-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13860.00 · Current $7000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2): Protection was not provided by placing and keeping excavated or other materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61m) from the edge of excavations, or by the use of retaining devices that were sufficient to prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into excavations, or by a combination of both if necessary:    (a) Pipeline Industries, Inc. at 1370 Kalamath St, Denver, CO 80204:  On and before October 12, 2012, the employer did not ensure that loose slabs of concrete above the trench were 2 feet (.61m) from the edge. The active portion of the excavation measured approximately 13 feet in length, 3-4 feet wide, and 11.5 feet in depth at the far east end. This condition exposed employees to a struck-by hazard from materials falling into the trench.    Pipeline Industries, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of the same or substantially similar condition of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2) which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314659467, Citation Number 1, Item 2 issued on October 15, 2010 and became Final Order on November 18, 2010, with respect to a workplace located at 3046 S. Zenobia St. in Denver, CO 80236.

Issued

2013-03-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13860.00 · Current $12400.00 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(b) or (c):    (a)	Pipeline Industries, Inc. at 1370 Kalamath St, Denver, CO 80204:  On and before October 12, 2012, the employer did not ensure that each employee conducting work in an excavation was protected from cave-in, in that the east end of the excavation where the sewer line tie-in was to be made lacked an adequate protective system.  Employees were observed working outside of the shield system in the east end that was approximately 11.5 feet deep with three vertical, unprotected walls.  This condition exposed employees to a crushing hazard by excavation wall cave-in.    (b)	Pipeline Industries, Inc. at 1370 Kalamath St, Denver, CO 80204:  On and before October 12, 2012, the employer did not ensure that each employee conducting work in an excavation was protected from cave-in, in that the ladder access point was located between the shields being used as a protective system.  Employees accessing the ladder were exposed to cave-in hazards.    Pipeline Industries, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of the same or substantially similar condition of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1) which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 109041, Citation Number 1, Item 1 issued on November 22, 2011 and became Final Order on December 14, 2011, with respect to a workplace located at 2703 S. Tennyson St. in Denver, CO 80236.

Issued

2013-03-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6300.00 · Current $6300.00

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)	Pipeline Industries, Inc. at 1370 Kalamath St, Denver, CO 80204:  On and before October 12, 2012, the employer did not ensure that an inspection of the excavation, the adjacent areas, and protective systems was conducted by the competent person as needed throughout the shift.  The competent person was aware while excavating that the trench was becoming deeper and wider than anticipated and that the protective system being used at the time was inadequate.  The competent person did not re-evaluate the excavation as necessary when a known hazard was present.  This condition exposed the employee to a crushing hazard by excavation wall cave-in.

Issued

2013-03-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6300.00 · Current $6300.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(c)(2)(i): Design of support systems, shield systems, or other protective systems that are drawn from manufacturers tabulated data was not in accordance with all specifications, recommendations, and limitations issued or made by the manufacturer:    (a)	Pipeline Industries, Inc. at 1370 Kalamath St, Denver, CO 80204:  On and before October 12, 2012, the employer did not ensure that trench shoring equipment was used in accordance with manufacturers guidelines. The trench was approximately 11.5 feet deep and the employer used two hydraulic shores on two sheets of 4 X 8 X 3/4 inch plywood.  The top of the plywood was approximately two feet below the top of the excavation and the bottom of the plywood sheet was approximately one foot above the bottom of the trench.  This condition exposed the employee to a crushing hazard by excavation wall cave-in.    Abatement Note:  The manufacturers tabulated data provided by the employer says "When plywood sheeting is used, it shall extend to the top of the excavation and to the bottom of the trench in Type C-60 soils.      (b)	Pipeline Industries, Inc. at 1370 Kalamath St, Denver, CO 80204:  On and before October 12, 2012, the employer did not ensure that trench shoring equipment was used in accordance with manufacturers guidelines.  The trench was approximately 11.5 feet deep and the employer used two hydraulic shores on two sheets of 4 X 8 X 3/4 inch plywood.  The horizontal spacing between the vertical rails was 6 feet which exceeded the manufacturers recommendations.  This condition exposed the employee to a crushing hazard by excavation wall cave-in.    Abatement Note:  In the section labeled Vertical Shoring System Selection Guide of the manufacturers tabulated data provided by the employer it states that the maximum horizontal spacing between vertical support members should be 5 feet for Type C-60 soils with a depth of 11 to 15 feet.