OSHA Inspection: T.H. CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

May 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $106,078 · Current $12,500 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 (c):  The employer is failing to protect employees from caught between and struck by hazards associated with trenching and excavation work.  This was most recently documented on November 21, 2018 at Aurora St and 56th Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska where employees were working in two unprotected trenches that were over 5' deep with vertical walls in the following two instances:   a) Two employees working in the North Trench were exposed to a cave in while locating fiber optic cable.  The trench was 9'8" deep and 5'6" wide.  The east wall of this trench collapsed trapping both employees which resulted in serious injuries.  b) One employee working in the South Trench was exposed to a cave in while locating fiber optic cable.  This trench was 6'6" deep and 5'6" wide.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

May 21, 2019

Penalty

Initial $12,500 · Current $12,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2): Employees shall be protected from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations. Protection shall be provided by placing and keeping such materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61 m) 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.  The employer is failing to protect to protect employees from caught in or between and struck by hazards associated with trenching and excavation hazards.  This was most recently documented on November 21, 2018 at Aurora St and 56th Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska where employees were working in two unprotected trenches/excavations with the spoil piles too close to the edge of the excavations.  Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the violation.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

May 21, 2019

Penalty

Initial $12,500 · Current $12,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2): Means of egress from trench excavations. A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.  The employer is failing to protect to protect employees from caught in or between and struck by hazards associated with trenching and excavation hazards.  This was most recently documented on November 21, 2018 at Aurora St and 56th Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska where employees were working in two unprotected trenches/excavations with no means of access/egress within 25 feet of travel.  Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the violation.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

May 21, 2019

Penalty

Initial $12,500 · Current $12,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1): Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems shall be 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 shall be conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections shall also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard increasing occurrence. These inspections are only required when employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated.  The employer is failing to protect to protect employees from caught in or between and struck by hazards associated with trenching and excavation hazards.  This was most recently documented on November 21, 2018 at Aurora St and 56th Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska where employees were working in two unprotected trenches/excavations.  Daily inspections were not conducted by a competent person.    Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the violation.