OSHA Inspection: WILLOW CREEK COMPANIES

Issued

Aug 2, 2013

Abate by

Aug 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,678 · Current $1,000 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.     (a) Willow Creek Companies @ 319 & G22 Well, Rifle, CO.  On or before April 18, 2013, the excavating contractor, as the controlling employer did not ensure that daily inspections of the excavation were made by the competent person for evidence of a situation that could have resulted in a possible cave-in while subcontractor's employees were conducting horizontal directional activities in the excavation. The unprotected excavation measured approximately between 7 ft. 5 and 8 ft. 7 in deep, 10 to16 ft. wide and lacked an adequate protective system, such as appropriate sloping, benching, or shield system on all unprotected sides. This condition exposed the employees to a crushing hazard by excavation wall cave-in.

Issued

Aug 2, 2013

Abate by

Aug 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,678 · Current $2,000 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) Willow Creek Companies @ 319 & G22 Well, Rifle, CO.  On or before April 18, 2013, the excavating contractor, as the controlling employer did not ensure that each subcontractor's employee conducting horizontal directional activities in the excavation was protected from a possible wall cave-in. The unprotected excavation measured approximately between 7 ft. 5 and 8 ft. 7 in deep, 10 to16 ft. wide and lacked an adequate protective system, such as appropriate sloping, benching, or shield system on all unprotected sides. This condition exposed the employees to a crushing hazard by excavation wall cave-in.

Issued

Aug 2, 2013

Abate by

Aug 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,678 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2):  Protection was not provided by placing and keeping excavated other materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61m) from the edge of excavation, 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) Willow Creek Companies @ 319 & G22 Well, Rifle, CO.  On or before April 18, 2013, the excavating contractor, as the controlling employer did not ensure that each employee conducting horizontal directional activities in the excavation was protected from a possible wall cave-in.  The spoil pile was not kept @ least 2 feet from the edge of the excavation where an excavating backhoe was setting high working on top the proximate spoil pile at the west side.  The unprotected excavation measured approximately 8 ft. 7 in deep, 16 ft. wide and lacked an adequate protective system, such as appropriate sloping, benching, or shield system on all unprotected sides. This condition exposed the employees to a crushing hazard by excavation wall cave-in.