OSHA Inspection: BI-STATE UTILITIES CO.

Issued

2020-03-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9446.00 · Current $4723.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1):  Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems was 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.   On 11/15/2019, employees of Bi-State Utilities, Co. were installing a storm water system inside a trench measuring approximately 42 feet long x 8 feet wide x 7 feet deep at the intersection of West Clay Street and Charwood Street, Saint Charles, Missouri.  The employer did not ensure a competent person inspected the excavation and surrounding areas to identify any hazardous conditions.

Issued

2020-03-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $18892.00 · Current $9446.00 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:  On 11/15/2019, employees of Bi-State Utilities, Co. were installing a storm water system inside a unprotected trench measuring approximately 42 feet long x 8 feet wide x 7 feet deep at the intersection of West Clay Street and Charwood Street, Saint Charles, Missouri. The employer did not provide or require the use of benching, sloping, shoring or other means to ensure that employees working in excavations were protected from engulfment hazards.    Bi-State Utilities, Co. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1087503, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 10/7/2015, with respect to a workplace located at 1800 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri.