OSHA Inspection: KLOEPFER, INC

Issued

Apr 23, 2020

Abate by

May 19, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,675 · Current $4,338 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 condition(s) and the regulation(s) applicable to the work environment to control or eliminate any hazard(s) or other exposure to illness or injury:    a) Garbage dumpster pad excavation: On February 20, 2020 and at times prior thereto, Kloepfer, Inc, created hazards to which their employee(s), and an employee of another sub-contractor, were exposed to while performing testing and compacting activities in an excavation.  These hazards included, but may not be limited to, lack of a proper cave-in protective system, lack of safe egress, landfill debris in the excavated walls, and placement of materials and equipment around the top of the excavation.  The responsible person on site did not recognize or acknowledge these hazards associated with the excavation as the work progressed, nor was any action taken to correct or minimize these hazards to the extent possible.      Note) Certification of corrective action is required for this item.

Issued

Apr 23, 2020

Abate by

Apr 29, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Garbage dumpster pad excavation: On February 20, 2020 and at times prior thereto Kloepfer, Inc, created a hazard for their employee(s) and an employee of another sub-contractor, by not providing a safe means of egress out of a 6 to 8 foot deep excavation.  The A-framed ladder that was being used was in the closed position and did not extend above the top of the excavation wall.                Note) Certification of corrective action is required for this item.

Issued

Apr 23, 2020

Abate by

Apr 29, 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) Garbage dumpster pad excavation: On February 20, 2020 and at times prior thereto the employer, Kloepfer, Inc, placed fill material and equipment on or very near the top edges of the excavated walls.  The placement of the fill material and equipment created the potential hazard of falling, collapsing or sliding into the excavation where employee(s) and an employee of another sub-contractor worked.   Note) Certification of corrective action is required for this item.

Issued

Apr 23, 2020

Abate by

Apr 29, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1): Portable ladders were used for access to an upper landing surface and the ladder side rails did not extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder was used to gain access:  a) Garbage dumpster pad excavation: On February 20, 2020 and at times prior thereto Kloepfer, Inc, created a hazard for their employee(s) and an employee of another sub-contractor, by providing a ladder that did not extend above the top of an excavated wall as the only means of egress out of a 6 to 8 foot deep excavation.    Note) Certification of corrective action is required for this item.

Issued

Apr 23, 2020

Abate by

Apr 29, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(4): Ladders were used for purposes other than the purposes for which they were designed:  a) Garbage dumpster pad excavation: On February 20, 2020 and at times prior thereto Kloepfer, Inc, created a hazard for their employee(s) and an employee of another sub-contractor, by providing an A-framed ladder, in the closed position, as the only means of egress out of a 6 to 8 foot deep excavation.    Note) Certification of corrective action is required for this item.

Issued

Apr 23, 2020

Abate by

Apr 29, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,675 · Current $4,338 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1): An inspection of the excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems was not conducted by a competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift:    a) Garbage dumpster pad excavation: On February 20, 2020 and at times prior thereto an inspection by a competent person had not been conducted prior to allowing Kloepfer, Inc employee(s) and an employee of another sub-contractor, to enter and work in a 6 to 8 foot deep excavation.  Landfill debris had not been removed from the excavated walls nor was a cave-in protective system used as needed.          b) Garbage dumpster pad excavation: On February 20, 2020 and at times prior thereto an inspection by a competent person had not been conducted prior to allowing Kloepfer, Inc employee(s) and an employee of another sub-contractor, to enter and work in a 6 to 8 foot deep excavation.  Employees were not provided with a safe means of egress from the excavation.              c) Garbage dumpster pad excavation: On February 20, 2020 and at times prior thereto an inspection by a competent person had not been conducted prior to allowing Kloepfer, Inc employee(s) and an employee of another sub-contractor to enter and work in a 6 to 8 foot deep excavation.  Fill material and equipment were placed on or very near the top edges of the excavated walls.            Note) Competent person for this sub part means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.          Note) Certification of corrective actions are required for these items.

Issued

Apr 23, 2020

Abate by

Apr 29, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 :  a) Garbage dumpster pad excavation: On February 20, 2020 and at times prior thereto, the employer, Kloepfer, Inc created a potential cave-in hazard for their employee(s) and for an employee of another  sub-contractor by not removing landfill debris from the excavated walls.  The debris created the potential for voids and instability of the excavated walls.  A cave-in protective system was not used as needed in the 6 to 8 foot deep excavation.      Note)  Certification of corrective action is required for this item.