OSHA Inspection: SCHMIDT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jul 31, 2020

Abate by

Aug 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(a): All surface encumbrances that were located so as to create a hazard to employees were not removed or supported, as necessary, to safeguard employees:  (a) On February 28, 2020; employees working without cave-in protection in an excavation of Type C soil, adjacent to two (2) unsupported concrete signal boxes located in the east wall, were exposed to struck-by hazards.   Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jul 31, 2020

Abate by

Aug 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(j)(1): Adequate protection was not provided to protect employees from loose rock or soil that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling from an excavation face:  (a) February 28, 2020; employees worked without cave-in protection in an excavation of Type C soil adjacent to soil fissuring on the east wall, exposing employees to engulfment hazards. The excavation measured approximately 6.3' deep, 6' wide, 20' long, and had nearly vertical walls.  NOTE: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jul 31, 2020

Abate by

Aug 26, 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 are 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.  Inspections are not conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift.  (a) On February 28, 2020; the employer did not ensure that the competent person inspected the excavation throughout the shift, exposing employees to engulfment hazards. Employees worked in an excavation approximately 6.3' deep with near vertical walls and Type C soil without cave-in protection. Fissuring was present in the east wall under the signal boxes.   Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jul 31, 2020

Abate by

Aug 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2): A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress was not located in trench excavations that were 4 feet (1.22m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62m) of lateral travel for employees:  (a) On February 28, 2020; employees working in an excavation of Type C soil without cave-in protection, measuring approximately 6.3' deep, 6' wide, and 20' long were not provided a means of egress, exposing employees to engulfment hazards. Employees entered and exited the excavation via climbing onto an old irrigation pipe on the south end or the walking up or down the sloped north end.    Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jul 31, 2020

Abate by

Aug 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,856 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(e): Employees were not prohibited to be underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment:  (a) On February 28, 2020; employees worked in an excavation while an excavator bucket full of rock chip was repeatedly swung overhead, exposing employees to struck by hazards.  NOTE: Abatement certification is required for this item.

Issued

Jul 31, 2020

Abate by

Aug 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $53,975 · Current $27,000 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).  (a)  On February 28, 2020; employees worked in an excavation approximately 6.3' deep with near vertical walls and Type C soil without cave-in protection, exposing them to engulfment hazards.  NOTE: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.