OSHA Inspection: SWITLICK & SONS, INC.

Issued

Oct 24, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,789 · Current $4,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(1): It shall be the responsibility of the employer to initiate and maintain such programs as may be necessary to comply with this part.    The employer did not develop and implement safety and health programs to ensure employees exposed to trenching hazards were familiar with the methods and means to minimize or eliminate them.

Issued

Oct 24, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2): The employer shall 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.    The employer did not instruct each employee exposed to trenching hazards in the recognition of those hazards and the regulations applicable to control or eliminate them.  On or about July 30, 2019, an employee was exposed to cave in hazards while working inside an approximate 8.5 foot deep trench located at the 4600 Block of 154th Ave. Marathon, WI 54448.

Issued

Oct 24, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.    On or about July 30, 2019, the competent person onsite did not conduct an adequate inspection of the approximate 8.5 foot deep trench located on the 4600 Block of 154th Ave. Marathon, WI 54448 prior to allowing employees to enter the trench.  Employees entering the trench were exposed to cave-in hazards and lack of means of egress as required.

Issued

Oct 24, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,789 · Current $4,000

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.    On or about July 30, 2019, an employee working in an approximately 8.5 foot deep trench located on the 4600 Block of 154th Ave. Marathon, WI 54448 was installing 12" waterline was not provided a stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress.

Issued

Oct 24, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,789 · Current $0 Reduced

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.    On or about July 30, 2019, an employee working in an approximately 8.5 foot deep trench located on the 4600 Block of 154th Ave. Marathon, WI 54448 was not protected from falling materials that could fall or roll into the excavation.  The spoil pile was placed at the beginning of the trench exposing the employee to additional cave in hazards should the material fall into the trench.

Issued

Oct 24, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,304 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1): Each employee in an excavation shall be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of this section except when excavations are made entirely in stable rock; or excavations are less than 5 feet in depth and examination of the ground by a competent person provides no indication of a potential cave in:    On or about July 30, 2019, an employee working in an approximately 8.5 foot deep trench located on the 4600 Block of 154th Ave. Marathon, WI 54448 installing 12 inch waterline was not protected from cave-ins.  The trench was approximately 8.5 feet in depth and approximately 12 feet wide in type c soil.