OSHA Inspection: SAINT JOHN CEMETERY, OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF ST. CHARLES & RESURRECTION CEMETERIES

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $7,000

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) 2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY (Worksite)  An employee working in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening # 103-FF-320, was partially buried when the excavation face below the spoil pile collapsed. The spoil pile was placed within two (2) feet of the edge of the trench and there were no restraining devices to prevent the excavated materials in the spoil pile from falling back into the grave opening on, or about May 7, 2015.    Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

(b)  Worksite- Employees entered and worked in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening #103-FF-320, was partially buried when the excavation face collapsed under the weight of spoil pile, which was placed along and directly on the northwest edge of the trench.  There were no restraining devices to prevent the excavated materials in the spoil pile from falling back into the grave opening on, or about May 7, 2015

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

(c) Worksite - Employees entered and worked in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening # 25-Y-103, to install components of the "Grave Bar" shoring system and level the bottom of the trench. The spoil pile, measuring approximately 6' - 8' H x 18' in diameter, was placed directly on the east edge of the trench and there were no restraining devices in place to prevent the excavated materials from falling back into the grave opening on, or about May 12, 2015.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(d)(1): Materials and equipment used for protective systems were not free from damage or defects that might impair their proper function:    (a) Worksite - Employees installed four (4) shoring boards, measuring 7'-6" L x 7" W x 1" T, in a trench, identified as grave opening # 103-D-22, as part of the "Grave Bar" shoring system. The top shoring board on the east side of the grave opening was damaged, in that there was a crack, approximately 2' long, along the north end on, or about May 12, 2015.      Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(d)(3): When material or equipment that was used for protective systems was damaged, a competent person did not examine the material or equipment and evaluate its suitability for continued use:    (a) Worksite  Employees installed four (4) shoring boards, measuring 7'-6" L x 7" W x 1" T, in a trench, identified as grave opening # 103-D-22, as part of the "Grave Bars" shoring system. The top shoring board on the east side of the grave opening was damaged, in that there was a crack, approximately 2' long, on the north end. The damaged shoring board was not inspected or evaluated, by a competent person, to determine its suitability for continued use on, or about May 12, 2015.         Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,620 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1): Where (a) portable ladder(s) was/were used for access to an upper level landing surface and the ladder's length did not allow the ladder side rails to extend at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface being accessed, the ladder was not secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and/or a grasping device was not provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder:    (a) Worksite  Employees used a Werner 12' aluminum portable ladder as a means of access and egress from a 10' deep trench, identified as grave opening # 25-Y-103. The ladders length and angle of placement, approximately 4:1, prevented it from extending the required 3' above the top of the trench. The ladder extended approximately 6" above the top of the trench on, or about May 12, 2015.     Note: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $53,900 · Current $7,000 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) Worksite  An employee working in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening # 103-FF-320, was partially buried when the excavation face collapsed directly beneath where the spoil pile was placed.  The grave opening did not have a support system installed to protect employees from struck-by, engulfment, and collapse hazards. The employer failed to ensure that a competent person inspected the trench prior to; and as needed throughout the shift on, or about May 7, 2015.          Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

(b) Worksite - Employees entered and worked in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening # 103-D-22, which was measured to be 11'-4" L x 11' W x 10'-2" D. The excavation faces were near vertical and determined to be sloped at a ratio of 1:2.5. The employees were not provided with an adequate protection against cave-ins, meeting the design requirements set forth in � 29 CFR 1926.652(b) or 1926.652(c); and the grave opening was not sloped to a ratio of 1.5:1. The employer failed to ensure that a competent person inspected the trench, adjacent areas, and Grave Bar shoring system prior to; and as needed throughout the shift on, or about May 12, 2015.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

(c) Worksite - Employees entered and worked in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening # 25-Y-103, which was measured to be 9' L x 9' W 10' D. Three of the excavation faces were near vertical and determined to be sloped at a ratio of 1:3.3 and the fourth showed signs of undermining. The employees were not provided with an adequate protection against cave-ins, meeting the design requirements set forth in � 29 CFR 1926.652(b) or 1926.652(c); and the grave opening was not sloped to a ratio of 1.5:1. The employer failed to ensure that a competent person inspected the trench, adjacent areas, and Grave Bar shoring system prior to; and as needed throughout the shift on, or about May 12, 2015.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $53,900 · Current $7,000 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 1926.652(c):    (a) Worksite - Employees entered and worked in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening # 103-D-22, which was measured to be 11'-4" L x 11' W x 10'-2" D. The employees used shovels to level the soil along the bottom of the trench to ensure the casket or burial vault would be level when the internment was performed. The excavation faces were near vertical and determined to be sloped at a ratio of 1:2.5. The "Grave Bar" shoring system that was installed in the grave opening did not provide the employees with adequate protection against cave-ins; and did not meet the design requirements set forth in � 29 CFR 1926.652(b) or 1926.652(c) on, or about May 12, 2015.      Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

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 except when:  (b) Worksite - Employees entered and worked in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening # 25-Y-103, which was measured to be 9' L x 9' W 10' D. The employees used shovels to level the soil along the bottom of the trench to ensure the casket or burial vault would be level when the internment was performed. The excavation faces were near vertical and determined to be sloped at a ratio of 1:3.3. The "Grave Bar" shoring system that was installed in the grave opening did not provide the employees with adequate protection against cave-ins; and did not meet the design requirements set forth in � 29 CFR 1926.652(b) or 1926.652(c) on, or about May 12, 2015.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(e)(1)(ii): Support systems were not installed and removed in a manner that protected employees from cave-ins, structural collapses, or from being struck by members of the support system:    (a) Worksite  An employee installing the "Grave Bar" shoring system worked in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening # 103-FF-320, which was approximately 9' L x 15' W x 10' D. The employee was partially buried when the northwest excavation face failed due to the placement of the spoil pile. The spoil pile was placed along and directly on the northwest edge of the trench. The narrow ends of the grave opening were unprotected. There were no restraining devices in place to prevent the excavated materials from falling back into the grave opening; and the grave opening was not sloped to a ratio of 1.5:1 on, or about May 7, 2015.          Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(e)(1)(ii): Support systems shall be installed and removed in a manner that protects employees from cave-ins, structural collapses, or from being struck by members of the support system.  (b) Worksite - Employees installing the "Grave Bar" shoring system worked in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening # 103-D-22, which was measured to be 11'-4" L x 11' W x 10'-2" D. The excavation faces were near vertical and determined to be sloped at a ratio of 1:2.5. The narrow ends of the grave opening were unprotected. The employees were not provided with an adequate protection against cave-ins, meeting the design requirements set forth in � 29 CFR 1926.652(b) or 1926.652(c); and the grave opening was not sloped to a ratio of 1.5:1 on, or about May 12, 2015.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Nov 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(e)(1)(iii): Individual members of support systems shall not be subjected to loads exceeding those which those members were designed to withstand.  (c) Worksite - Employees installing the "Grave Bar" shoring system worked in an unprotected trench, identified as grave opening # 25-Y-103, which was measured to be 9' L x 9' W 10' D. Three of the excavation faces were near vertical and determined to be sloped at a ratio of 1:3.3 and the fourth showed signs of undermining. The narrow ends of the grave opening were unprotected. The employees were not provided with an adequate protection against cave-ins, meeting the design requirements set forth in � 29 CFR 1926.652(b) or 1926.652(c); and the grave opening was not sloped to a ratio of 1.5:1 on, or about May 12, 2015.