OSHA Inspection: METRO PLUMBING, INC

Issued

Nov 23, 2020

Abate by

Nov 30, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $3,250 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 conditions and the regulations applicable to the work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury:  a) Residential jobsite:  On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto an employee worked in the 8.4 foot deep end of a trench without a cave-in protection system in place.  The employee did not recognize or acknowledge the hazards of working in any area of an unprotected trench or the actions needed to minimize or control the hazard.   b) Residential jobsite: On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto an employee worked in the 8.4 foot deep end of a trench where the spoil pile of excavated materials and a backhoe were placed at the edges of the trench.  The employee did not recognize or acknowledge the hazards of being struck-by the excavated material and collapsing trench walls or the actions needed to minimize or control the hazards.   c)  Residential jobsite: On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto a cave-in protective system (hydraulic speed shoring) was removed from the 8.4 foot deep end of a trench before the partial sewer pipe installation work was completed and the proper backfilling could begin.  A competent person did not recognize or acknowledge the hazard of prematurely removing a protective system before all the necessary work was completed or the actions needed to minimize or control the hazards.   Note) Certification and documentation of corrective actions are required for these item.

Issued

Nov 23, 2020

Abate by

Nov 30, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(j)(2): Protection was not provided by placing and keeping excavated or other materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61m) from the edge of excavations, or by the use of retaining devices that were sufficient to prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into excavations, or by a combination of both if necessary:  a) Residential jobsite: On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto the spoil pile of excavated materials and a backhoe were placed at the edges of the trench.  This exposed an employee to a struck-by hazard from excavated material rolling in the trench or collapsing the trench walls.   Note) Certification and documentation of corrective action is required for this item.

Issued

Nov 23, 2020

Abate by

Nov 30, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.652(e)(1)(vi): Backfilling did not progress together with the removal of support systems from excavations:  a) Residential jobsite: On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto the cave-in protective system (speed shoring) was removed from the trench before the partial sewer installation activities were finished and the backfilling could begin.  An employee worked in an area of a trench that was 8.4 feet deep without a cave-in protective system in place.   Note) Certification and documentation of corrective action is required for this item.

Issued

Nov 23, 2020

Abate by

Nov 30, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $3,250 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 the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift:  a) Residential jobsite: On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto, an inspection by a competent person had not been conducted when an employee entered and worked in the 8.4 foot deep end of a trench.  The employee performed sewer line installation activities without a cave-in protective system in place.  b) Residential jobsite: On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto, an inspection by a competent person had not been conducted when the spoil piles of excavated materials and equipment were placed at or near the edges of the trench.   c) Residential jobsite: On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto, an inspection by a competent person had not been conducted when a cave-in protective system (speed shoring) was removed before the work was completed and backfilling could begin.    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 and documentation of corrective actions are required for these items.

Issued

Nov 23, 2020

Abate by

Nov 30, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(k)(2): Where the competent person found evidence of a situation that could result in a possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employees were not removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety:  a) Residential jobsite:  On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto the spoil pile of excavated materials was not placed back from the edge of a trench wall before an employee entered and perform sewer pipe installation work in an 8.4 foot deep area of the trench.    b) Residential jobsite:  On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto a cave-in protective system (hydraulic speed shoring) was removed before proper backfilling could begin in the 8.4 foot deep area of the trench.   c) Residential jobsite: On October 27, 2020 and at time prior thereto an employee performed sewer pipe installation activities in a 8.4 foot deep area of a trench without a cave-in protective system in place.    Note) Certification and documentation of corrective actions are required for these items.

Issued

Nov 23, 2020

Abate by

Nov 30, 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 designed in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.652 (b) or (c) of this section:   a) Residential jobsite:  On October 27, 2020 and at times prior thereto an employee worked on a partial sewer line installation in 8.4 foot deep area of a trench.  A cave-in protective system was not in place for the type B soil.     Note)  Certification and documentation of corrective action is required for this item.