OSHA Inspection: MASTER EXCAVATING LLC

Issued

Nov 26, 2013

Abate by

Dec 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

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)    Master Excavating at 2732 W. 106th Circle, Westminster, CO 80234:  On and before November 5, 2013, 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 approximately 11 feet deep and becoming unsafe due to trench wall cave-in and the protective system (hydraulic shoring) 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 employees to a crushing hazard by excavation wall cave-in.

Issued

Nov 26, 2013

Abate by

Dec 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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)    Master Excavating at 2732 W. 106th Circle, Westminster, CO 80234:  On and before November 5, 2013, the employer did not ensure the spoil pile on the trench was 2 feet (.61m) from the trench.  The excavation measured approximately 10 feet in length, 8 feet in depth on the north end, and 11 feet in depth on the south end.  This condition exposed the employees to the hazard of the materials falling into the trench or causing the trench to collapse.

Issued

Nov 26, 2013

Abate by

Dec 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 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)   Master Excavating at 2732 W. 106th Circle, Westminster, CO 80234:  On and before November 5, 2013, the employer did not ensure that each employee conducting work in an excavation was protected from cave-in, in that work performed to install the new sewer line cleanouts was done in an area of the trench that was approximately 11 feet deep and lacked a protective system.  This condition exposed employees to a crushing hazard by excavation wall cave-in.      (b)   Master Excavating at 2732 W. 106th Circle, Westminster, CO 80234:  On and before November 5, 2013, 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 in the end of the excavation adjacent to the sidewalk, approximately 8 feet deep, and lacked a protective system.  Employees accessing the ladder were exposed to cave-in hazards.

Issued

Nov 26, 2013

Abate by

Dec 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1): A portable ladder was used for access to an upper landing, and the ladder side rails did not extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing, and was not secured at its top to a rigid support:        (a)  Master Excavating at 2732 W. 106th Circle, Westminster, CO 80234:  On and before November 5, 2013, the employer did not ensure that an extension ladder, used for accessing and egressing the trench, had side rails extending 3 feet above the upper landing.  Condition exposed 2 employees to uncontrolled fall hazards of approximately 8 feet measured from the ground to trench bottom.