OSHA Inspection: CONTINENTAL CONSTRUCTION INC.

Issued

Dec 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,570 · Current $2,142 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(2): Where the competent person found evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employee(s) was/were not removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety:    (a) Jobsite, New Street, Johnstown, PA:  On or about October 27, 2015 the competent person permitted employees to work in an excavation approximately 10 feet deep that did not have an adequately installed protective shield.  The competent person was working on top cutting pipe for the employees in the excavation. The following deficiencies existed in the excavation and the competent person did not remove the employees until corrections were made:  the protective shield was not installed against the sidewalls, the bottom of the shield was installed approximately 3 feet above the bottom of the excavation.

Issued

Dec 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,570 · Current $2,142 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(g)(1)(ii): Shields were not installed in a manner to restrict lateral or other hazardous movement of the shield in the event of the application of sudden lateral loads:    (a) Jobsite, New Street, Johnstown, PA:  On or about October 27, 2015 the Efficiency shield, Model CL-68, Serial Number 132194 was not installed in a manner that restricted hazardous movement in the event of the application of a sudden lateral load.  The shield was installed perpendicular from the lateral line excavation into the main line excavation.  Approximately 3 feet of the shield protruded into the main line excavation and was not installed against any side walls.  A cave-in occurred in the corner of where the lateral and main excavations met.  Debris, compressed slag and soil struck the box and caused it to tilt and move approximately 1-2 feet.  In addition, the bottom of the shield was approximately 3 feet above the bottom and did not prevent soil and debris from entering, increasing the probability of hazardous movement of the shield.

Issued

Dec 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(g)(2): Excavations of earth material to a level no greater than 2 feet (.61m) below the bottom of a shield was permitted:  (a) Jobsite, New Street, Johnstown, PA:  On or about October 27, 2015 the protective shield installed in the 8-10 ft. deep excavation was installed with the excavation of the material at approximately 3 feet below the bottom of the shield.  A cave-in of a side wall occurred and applied a lateral force on the shield causing it to tilt and move 1-2 feet.  The falling soil and debris entered the shield through the bottom filling the space.

Issued

Dec 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,570 · Current $2,142 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(g)(1)(iii): Employees were not protected from the hazard of cave-ins when entering or exiting the area protected by shields:    (a) Jobsite, New Street, Johnstown, PA:  On or about October 27, 2015 employees working in excavations approximately 8-10 feet in depth with near vertical side walls were not protected from cave-ins when entering or exiting the area(s) where the protective shield was installed.  Two employees were working in a lateral excavation that extended from the main line excavation.  A protective shield was in use in the lateral but not installed properly.  The shield protruded approximately 3 feet into the main line and did not restrict movement.  The sidewall in this area began to crack and the two employees exited the shield into the main excavation in an attempt to exit.   The area where the employees exited was not protected by sloping or benching or protective systems.  One employee was able to exit and one employee was injured when his right leg was caught by falling debris during the cave-in.

Issued

Dec 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Jobsite, New Street, Johnstown, PA:  On or about October 27, 2015 employees working in excavations approximately 8-10 feet in depth with near vertical side walls were not protected from cave-ins by methods of sloping and benching or support or shield systems.  Two employees were working in a lateral excavation that extended from the main line excavation.  A protective shield was in use in the lateral but not installed properly.  The shield protruded approximately 3 feet into the main line and did not restrict movement.  The sidewall in this area began to crack and the two employees exited the shield into the main excavation in an attempt to exit.   The area where the employees exited was not protected by sloping or benching or protective systems.  One employee was able to exit and one employee was injured when his right leg was caught by falling debris during the cave-in.    Co-workers entered the unprotected main line excavation that was approximately 8-10 feet in depth with near vertical side walls in an attempt to free the trapped employee thereby exposing them to potential cave-in hazards.

Issued

Dec 8, 2015

Abate by

Jan 5, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(c)(2)(iii): Manufacturer's specifications, recommendations, and limitations, and manufacturer's approval to deviate from the specifications, recommendations, and limitations shall be in written form at the jobsite during construction of the protective system. After that time this data may be stored off the jobsite, but a copy shall be made available to the Secretary upon request:  (a) Facility, 39144 Portland Mills Road, Ridgway, PA:  On or about October 29, 2015 through November 3, 2015 the employer did not have a copy of the manufacturer's specifications and data sheets for the Efficiency protective shield, Model CL-68, Serial Number 132194 to provide to the Secretary upon request.