OSHA Inspection: SUNSET CONTRACTING, INC.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Abate by

Oct 26, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $5,325 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2): The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury:  a) On Knowles Street at Denson Court, Mobile, AL, Excavation: On or about July 27, 2017, and at times prior, employees entered and worked in a trench measuring approximately fourteen (14) feet deep, approximately twelve (12) feet wide, and approximately sixteen (16) feet long, that was dug in class "B" soil.  Employees were not provided with effective information and training on recognizing and avoiding cave-in hazards on the work site.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Abate by

Oct 26, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $5,325 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(g)(1)(ii): Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent employee exposure to atmospheres containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen and other hazardous atmospheres. These precautions include providing proper respiratory protection or ventilation in accordance with subparts D and E of this part respectively.  a) On Knowles Street at Denson Court, Mobile, AL, Excavation: On or about July 27, 2017, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards such as but not limited to sewer gases, in that employees were allowed to work in of a trench approximately fourteen (14) feet deep, approximately twelve (12) feet wide, and approximately sixteen (16) feet long while repairing a damaged sewer main.  The employer did not conduct atmospheric testing prior to allowing employees to work in the trench.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Abate by

Oct 26, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $5,325 Reduced

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 result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions.  An inspection was not conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift.  a) On Knowles Street at Denson Court, Mobile, AL, Excavation: On or about July 27, 2017, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to cave-in hazards in that employees were allowed to work inside of a trench approximately fourteen (14) feet deep, approximately twelve (12) feet wide, and approximately sixteen (16) feet long, that was dug in class "B" soil.  The employer did not conduct an inspection prior to allowing employees to work in the trench and did not conduct inspections while work was being conducted.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Abate by

Oct 26, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $5,325 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 paragraph (b) or (c) of this section:  a) On Knowles Street at Denson Court, Mobile, AL, Excavation: On or about July 27, 2017, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to cave-in hazards in that employees were allowed to work inside of a trench approximately fourteen (14) feet deep, approximately twelve (12) feet wide, and approximately sixteen (16) feet long, that was dug in class "B" soil.  The employer had not complied with the standard in that employees were not protected from cave-in by an adequate protective system that protected all areas exposed to cave-in.

Issued

Oct 16, 2017

Abate by

Oct 26, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(b)(4): While the excavation was opened, underground installations were not protected, supported or removed as necessary to safeguard employees:  a) On Knowles Street at Denson Court, Mobile, AL, Excavation: On or about July 27, 2017, and at times prior, employees entered and worked in a trench measuring approximately fourteen (14) feet deep, approximately twelve (12) feet wide, and approximately sixteen (16) feet long, that was dug in class "B" soil.  Employees were allowed to continue working in the trench after one wall caved in exposing 8 - 10 feet of water main.