OSHA Inspection: EARL G. HEFFEL & SON, INC.

Issued

2012-12-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1800.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1):     Each employee in an excavation shall be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of this section except when:    (a)  The employer did not ensure that an employee in a trench ranging from 6.7 feet to 7.7 feet deep, was protected from cave-ins with an adequate protective system.  This exposed employees to a trench collapse hazard.

Issued

2012-12-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1200.00 · Current $1200.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1):     When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder shall be secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grabrail, shall be provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder. In no case shall the extension be such that ladder deflection under a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip off its support.    (a)  The portable ladder being used for access to and from the trench did not extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing area.

Issued

2012-12-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1):     Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems shall be made by a competent person for evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. An inspection shall be conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections shall also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard increasing occurrence. These inspections are only required when employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated.    (a)  A competent person did not classify the soil based on results of one visual and at least one manual analysis.  Such analysiss shall be done by a competent person using the tests described in paragraph d of Appendix A to Subpart P.

Issued

2012-12-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2):     Employees shall be protected from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations. Protection shall be provided by placing and keeping such materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61 m) from the edge of excavations, or by the use of retaining devices that are sufficient to prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into excavations, or by a combination of both if necessary.    (a)  The employer did not ensure that excavated materials were kept at least 2 feet from the edge of the excavation.  This exposed employees to a struck by hazard and/or a trench collapse hazard.