OSHA Inspection: SOIL MODIFICATION INC.

Issued

Sep 15, 2017

Abate by

Oct 12, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,187 · Current $3,187

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 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)  Soil Modification Inc. at 5725 East 39th Avenue, Denver, CO 80207:  On or before July 7, 2017, the exposing employer did not ensure that employees were protected from injury, in that soil was stacked within 2 feet of the edge of the excavation. The excavation was approximately 5 feet 6 inches deep at this location. This condition exposed employees to struck-by hazards and cave-in hazards from the soil falling into the trench and causing the trench to collapse.

Issued

Sep 15, 2017

Abate by

Oct 12, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 employees were not removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety:  (a)  Soil Modification Inc. at 5725 East 39th Avenue, Denver, CO 80207:  On or before July 12, 2017, the exposing employer did not ensure that employees working inside trenches with vertical walls were protected from cave-in hazards.  Employees were working in a trench measuring 5 feet 2 inches deep without the use of a protective system. The competent person did not take steps to remove the exposed employees from the hazard. This condition exposed the employee to a cave-in hazards.

Issued

Sep 15, 2017

Abate by

Oct 12, 2017

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-in hazards by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.652(b) or (c):    (a)  Soil Modification Inc. at 5725 East 39th Avenue, Denver, CO 80207:  On or before July 12, 2017, the exposing employer did not ensure that employees working inside a trench with vertical walls were protected from cave-in hazards.  Employees were working in a trench measuring 5.2 feet deep and 5.1 wide for the installation of a water line and water meter pit, without sloping or shoring.  This condition exposed the employee to a cave-in hazard.

Issued

Sep 15, 2017

Abate by

Oct 12, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,187 · Current $3,187

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1203(e)(2)(iii): Before an employee enters the space, the employer did not test the internal atmosphere with a calibrated direct-reading instrument, for oxygen content, for flammable gases and vapors, and for potential toxic air contaminants, in that order.  Any employee who enters the space, or that employee's authorized representative, must be provided an opportunity to observe the pre-entry testing required by this paragraph:  (a) Soil Modification Inc. 5725 East 39th Avenue, Denver, CO 80207: On July 12, 2017 the employer did not test the internal atmosphere of a water meter pit before an employee entered the confined space. The depth of the water meter pit was measured to be approximately 6 feet deep. This condition exposed employees to hazards involving lack of oxygen.

Issued

Sep 15, 2017

Abate by

Oct 12, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1205(a):  Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by paragraph 1926.1204(c) of this standard by preparing an entry permit:  (a) Soil Modification Inc. 5725 East 39th Avenue, Denver, CO 80207: On July 12, 2017, the employer did not prepare a permit to document the completion of measures required by 1926.1204(c), in that the employer did not verify that the conditions in the permit space were acceptable for entry throughout the duration of the authorized entry.  The employer allowed an employee to enter into the water meter pit without taking steps to ensure an oxygen-deficient atmosphere did not occur.  The depth of the water meter pit was measured to be approximately 6 feet deep. This condition exposed employees to hazards involving lack of oxygen.