OSHA Inspection: FREUND PLUMBING & HEATING LLC

Issued

May 6, 2014

Abate by

Jun 8, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,428 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 29 CFR 1926.652(c):    (a) Freund Plumbing & Heating LLC, at 1530 S Hazel Court, Denver, CO: On 4/16/14, Freund Plumbing & Heating LLC did not ensure that each employee in an excavation was protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.652(b) or 29 CFR 1926.652(c).  Employees connected a sewer line while working in an approximate 5.3 to 6.5 foot deep section of an excavation.  The employer benched the Type B soil in the area between the clean outs and the end of the section worked on 4/16/14.  The depth from the bottom of the excavation to the first horizontal bench was 4 to 5 feet.  The first horizontal section of benching was 1.5 to 2 feet in width.  The vertical distance from the upper most bench to the top of the excavation was 1.5 feet.   The overall slope of the excavation was approximately seventy degrees.  The employer did not ensure that the protective system was constructed properly to provide protection to employees working within the excavation. This condition exposed one employee to an excavation cave-in hazard.

Issued

May 6, 2014

Abate by

Jun 8, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1): Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems were not made by a competent person for evidence of a situation that could have resulted in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions:  (a)Freund Plumbing & Heating LLC, at 1530 S Hazel Court, Denver, CO: On 4/16/14, Freund Plumbing & Heating LLC did not ensure that daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems were made by a competent person for evidence of a situation that could have resulted in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions.  Employees connected a sewer line while working in an approximate 5.3 to 6.5 foot deep section of excavation.  The spoil piles extended to the edges of the excavation.  The protective systems were not constructed correctly.  A daily inspection of the excavation was not performed by a competent person.  This condition exposed one employee to an excavation cave-in hazard.

Issued

May 6, 2014

Abate by

Jun 8, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,428 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 (.61m) 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) Freund Plumbing & Heating LLC, at 1530 S Hazel Court, Denver, CO: On 4/16/14, Freund Plumbing & Heating LLC did not ensure protection was provided by placing and keeping excavated or other materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61m) from the edge of excavations.  Employees connected a sewer line while working in an approximate 5.3 to 6.5 foot deep section of an excavation.  The spoil piles on the north and south sides of the excavation extended to the edges of the excavation. The employer did not ensure that the spoil piles were at least two feet from the edges as to not create over-burden on the walls of the excavation.  This condition exposed one employee to an excavation cave-in hazard.