OSHA Inspection: WATERCENTRIC LLC

Issued

Oct 7, 2019

Abate by

Oct 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $3,000 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 work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.  On or about April 26, 2019, and at times prior to, untrained employees were  working at the base of an unprotected excavation were exposed to cave-in hazards and engulfment.

Issued

Oct 7, 2019

Abate by

Oct 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.50(e): The employer did not ensure that proper equipment for prompt transportation of an injured person to a physician or hospital, or a communication system for contacting necessary ambulance service, was provided.  On or about April 26, 2019, and at times prior to, employees working at the base of a trench that was approximately 15 feet in depth were exposed to struck-by and cave-in hazards.  Proper equipment for prompt transportation for injured employees was not provided.

Issued

Oct 7, 2019

Abate by

Oct 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.100(a): The employer did not ensure that employees working in areas where there is a possible danger of head injury from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns, were protected by protective helmets.   On or about April 26, 2019, and at times prior to, employees working at the base of a trench that was approximately 15 feet in depth were exposed to struck by hazards.  Head protection was not provided.

Issued

Oct 7, 2019

Abate by

Oct 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $15,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(h)(1):  Employer permitted employees to work in excavations in which there was accumulated water, and in excavations in which water was accumulating.  No precautions were taken to protect employees against the hazards posed by water accumulation.   On or about April 26, 2019, and at times prior to, employees working at the base of a trench were exposed to cave-in hazards due to water accumulating rapidly.

Issued

Oct 7, 2019

Abate by

Oct 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(i)(1):  The employer did not ensure that where the stability of adjoining buildings, walls, or other structures is endangered by excavation operations, support systems such as shoring, bracing, or underpinning is provided to ensure the stability of such structures for the protection of employees.  On or about April 26, 2019, and at times prior to, the employer did not ensure that the stability of the pump house,  Employees were exposed to struck by and cave in hazards.

Issued

Oct 7, 2019

Abate by

Oct 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $15,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2):  The employer did not ensure that employees were 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.  On or about April 26, 2019, and at times prior to, employees were exposed to cave-in hazards due to spoil pile and equipment not kept at least two (2) feet from the edge.

Issued

Oct 7, 2019

Abate by

Oct 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1): The employer did not ensure that daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems were 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. Inspections were not conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections were also not made after every rainstorm or other hazard increasing occurrence.   On or about April 26, 2019, and at times prior to, employees exposed to cave-in hazards while working in an excavation that measured more than 15 feet in depth, approximately 8 feet wide and approximately 20 feet long.  No inspection by a competent person.

Issued

Oct 7, 2019

Abate by

Oct 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1):  The employer did not ensure that when portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder shall be secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grabrail, shall be provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder. In no case shall the extension be such that ladder deflection under a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip off its support.   On or about April 26, 2019, and at times prior to, employees used an extension ladder that was not secured or at least 3 feet above the landing when exiting and entering an excavation that was approximately 15 feet.

Issued

Oct 7, 2019

Abate by

Oct 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $132,598 · Current $15,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1):  The employer did not ensure that each employee in an excavation was protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of this section except when:  On or about April 26, 2019, and at times prior to, employees were exposed to cave-in hazards while working in an excavation that measured more than 15 feet in depth, approximately 8 feet wide and approximately 20 feet long.  Cave-in protection was not provided.      a)  At approximately 10:00 a.m. employees were exposed to a side wall cave-in.      b)  At approximately 4:00 p.m. employees were exposed to a cave-in.

Issued

Oct 7, 2019

Abate by

Oct 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,472 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a)(2): The employer did not report an in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye as a result of a work-related incident to OSHA within twenty-four (24) hours:  The employer did not make an oral report to OSHA within twenty-four hours after the hospitalization of two (2) employees from work-related incidents that occurred on April 26, 2019.