OSHA Inspection: C & G REFRIGERATION, INC.

Issued

Jul 30, 2013

Abate by

Aug 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 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) 110 Westminster Avenue, Hanover, Pennsylvania - The employer opened an excavation in the front yard of the residence in order to replace the sanitary sewer line from the house to the township sanitary sewer line.  The employer did not protect, support, or remove the underground natural gas line to prevent damage to the line.  On April 19, 2013, the trench collapsed onto the natural gas line, tearing the gas line loose and creating the hazard of a fire and explosion from a natural gas release.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and state employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 30, 2013

Abate by

Aug 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 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 (.61 m) 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) 110 Westminster Avenue, Hanover, Pennsylvania - An employee worked in the trench, dug in the front yard of the residence, to install and connect a new sanitary sewer line to the residence.  The employer did not keep the pile of soil excavated from the trench and placed along the east wall of the trench at least two feet from the edge of the trench nor use retaining devices to keep the excavated material from falling into the trench and striking the employee working in the trench, on or about April 19, 2013.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and state employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 30, 2013

Abate by

Aug 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1): 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) 110 Westminster Avenue, Hanover, Pennsylvania - On or about April 19, 2013, an employee worked in a trench, dug in Type B soil at best, to connect new sanitary sewer piping.  The trench where the employee worked had a depth of 7 feet 4 inches, had vertical side walls, and had no cave-in protection.  On April 19, 2013, the western wall of the trench collapsed.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and state employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 30, 2013

Abate by

Aug 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) 110 Westminster Avenue, Hanover, Pennsylvania - On April 19, 2013, the site did not have a competent person to inspect the trench in that the person in charge did not have an understanding of soil classifications, did not classify the soil in the trench in order to determine the appropriate cave-in protection to install, and did not install cave-in protection in the trench.  The trench, dug in Type B soil at best, had a depth of 7 feet 4 inches where an employee worked in the trench to connect new sanitary sewer piping.   Additionally, this 25-foot long trench did not have the excavated soil pile at least 2 feet back from the edge along the eastern wall and did not have a natural gas line located within the trench protected or supported.  On April 19, 2013, the western wall of the trench collapsed.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and state employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.