OSHA Inspection: H&H ELECTRIC CO.

Issued

Oct 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,620 · Current $2,310 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2): Means of egress from trench excavations. A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.  a. On or about September 19, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, an employee was installing an underground utility line in a trench approximately eight (8) feet in depth was not provided with a safe means of egress, thereby exposing the employee to cave-in hazards.

Issued

Oct 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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. On or about September 19, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, an employee was installing an underground utility line in a trench approximately eight (8) feet in depth. The employee was not protected from materials falling into the excavation, in that the spoil pile was less than two (2) feet from the edge of the excavation.

Issued

Oct 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(h)(1): Employees shall not work in excavations in which there is accumulated water, or in excavations in which water is accumulating, unless adequate precautions have been taken to protect employees against the hazards posed by water accumulation. The precautions necessary to protect employees adequately vary with each situation, but could include special support or shield systems to protect from cave-ins, water removal to control the level of accumulating water, or use of a safety harness and lifeline.  a. On or about September 19, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, an employee was installing an underground utility line in a trench where five (5) inches of water had accumulated. Adequate precautions were not taken to protect the employee against the hazards posed by water accumulation, thereby exposing the employee to cave in hazards.

Issued

Oct 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(2): Where the competent person finds evidence of a situation that could result in a possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employees shall be removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety.  a. On or about September 19, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, an employee was installing an underground utility line in a trench approximately eight (8) feet in depth with no cave-in protection. The competent person on site did not remove the employee from the hazardous area, thereby exposing the employee to the hazards associated with cave-ins.

Issued

Oct 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $2,695 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.  a. On or about September 19, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, an employee was installing an underground utility line in a trench approximately eight (8) feet in depth that was not provided with cave-in protection, thereby exposing the employee to cave-in hazards.