OSHA Inspection: KRUCZEK CONSTRUCTION INC.

Issued

Feb 27, 2020

Penalty

Initial $10,390 · Current $5,000 Reduced

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 September 18, 2019, an employee working in a trench located on the northeast corner of E. Edgewood Dr. and Providence Ave Appleton, WI 54913 was not provided a means of egress every 25 feet as required in an approximately 50 foot long, 12 foot wide, and 10-16 feet deep trench.  The single portable aluminum ladder was located on the east end of the trench, requiring the employee to travel approximately 40 feet to egress the trench.

Issued

Feb 27, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1): 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 September 18, 2019, employees utilized a portable aluminum ladder without extending it three feet above the upper landing surface in a trench located on the northeast corner of East Edgewood Dr. and Providence Ave Appleton, WI 54913.  The trench was approximately 10 feet in depth and the top rung of the ladder was approximately level with the pavement.

Issued

Feb 27, 2020

Penalty

Initial $10,390 · Current $5,000 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 September 18, 2019, the employer did not ensure the gravel fill pile was at least two feet back from the edge of the excavation for a trench located on the northeast corner of E. Edgewood Dr. and Providence Ave. Appleton, WI 54913.  The gravel piles located on the south east side of the trench went up to the trench edge.

Issued

Feb 27, 2020

Abate by

Mar 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $51,952 · Current $20,000 Reduced

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 September 18, 2019, the employer was installing sanitary sewer in a trench located on the northeast corner of E. Edgewood Dr. and Providence Ave. Appleton, WI 54913.  The competent person onsite did not conduct an adequate daily inspection identifying the hazardous conditions present in the inspection prior to allowing employees to enter the trench.    Kruczek Construction Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1357641, citation number two, item number one and was affirmed as a final order on March 21, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at Packerland Dr. De Pere, WI 54115.

Issued

Feb 27, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  On or about September 18, 2019, employees were exposed to cave-in hazards between 10 and 16 feet in a trench located on the northeast corner of E. Edgewood Dr. and Providence Ave in Appleton, WI 54913.  Employees were installing new 18 inch sanitary sewer line and were cutting in a new manhole in an existing line.  (a)  Employees were exposed to cave-in hazards from the unprotected southwest end of the approximate 16 foot deep trench that had no form of trench protection.  (b)  Employees were exposed to cave-in hazards between the road plates on the south side of the trench where soil was observed sloughing into the trench at a depth of approximately 16 feet.  (c)  Employees were exposed to cave-in hazards throughout the approximate 50 foot long trench as the three trench shields used were below the top of the trench.  Kruczek Construction Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1357641, citation number two, item number one and was affirmed as a final order on March 21, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at Packerland Dr. De Pere, WI 54115.  Kruczek Construction, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 980686, citation number two, item number two and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at Badger and Packer Appleton, WI 54913.  Kruzcek Construction, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 952937, citation number one, item number two, and was affirmed as a final order on April 25, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at North Overland Rd, Hobart, WI 54115.

Issued

Feb 27, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(g)(1)(ii): Shields shall be installed in a manner to restrict lateral or other hazardous movement of the shield in the event of the application of sudden lateral loads.  On or about September 18, 2019, three trench shields were not installed in a manner to restrict movement in a trench located on the northeast corner of E. Edgewood Dr. and Providence Ave in Appleton, WI 54913.    (a)  Two trench shields that were not stackable were installed with one overtop of the other with larger spreaders.  The shields were not secured or backfilled in the trench.  (b)  An 11 foot by 11 foot manhole trench box was not installed securely in the trench to prevent hazardous movement.  The trench box was on an angle above the existing sanitary sewer line and was not supported on the east side of the trench.   Kruczek Construction Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1070301, citation number one, item number one and was affirmed as a final order on August 28, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at Bluemound Dr. and W. Pine St. Appleton, WI 54914.

Issued

Feb 27, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(g)(1)(iii): Employees shall be protected from the hazard of cave-ins when entering or exiting the areas protected by shields.  On or about September 18, 2019, employees entering an approximate 10 foot deep trench located on the northeast corner of E. Edgewood Dr. and Providence Ave. Appleton, WI 54913 were exposed to cave-in hazards as the portable aluminum extension ladder was located outside of the trench shield.  Kruczek Construction Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1070301, citation number one, item number one and was affirmed as a final order on August 28, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at Bluemound Dr. and W. Pine St. Appleton, WI 54914.