OSHA Inspection: KNIFE RIVER CORPORATION - MOUNTAIN WEST

Issued

Sep 27, 2021

Abate by

Oct 7, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,728 · Current $6,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.652(g)(2): Excavation of earth material to a level greater than 2 feet (.61m) below the bottom of a shield system was present when the shield was not designed to resist the forces calculated for the full depth of the trench.  a) On March 31, 2021: Employees were working to install a water line in an excavation at a depth ranging from 8.0 to 10.0 feet.  Employees were working at the bottom of the trench where the shield was placed 3 feet 8 inches above the bottom of the trench.

Issued

Sep 27, 2021

Penalty

Initial $42,911 · Current $32,200 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 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.  a) On March 31, 2021: The employer did not ensure the use of an appropriate ladder and/or other safe means of egress was available for use by employees at all times while employees were installing water lines in a trench at a depth ranging from 8.0 - 10.0 feet.  Knife River Corporation - Northwest was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1242651, citation number 1, item number 1b and was affirmed as a final order on 8/24/2017, with respect to a workplace located at Cameron Street in Kellogg, ID.

Issued

Sep 27, 2021

Abate by

Oct 7, 2021

Penalty

Initial $53,642 · Current $40,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1): Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems were 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 were not conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift.  a)  On March 31, 2021:  Inspections were not conducted as needed throughout the work shift while employees were working to install a water line in an excavation at a depth ranging from 8.0 to 10.0 feet.  Late in the afternoon, employees were working outside of the trench shield and at the bottom of the trench where the shield was placed 3 feet 8 inches above the floor of the trench.  The competent person(s) on the job did not inspect this trench once the trench had been excavated 3 feet 8 inches below the bottom of the trench shield and workers were performing work activities below the protection of the shield.  Knife River Corporation - Northwest was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1242651, Citation number 1, Item number 2a, and was affirmed as a final order on 8/24/2017, with respect to a workplace located on Cameron Street in Kellogg, ID.  Knife River Corporation  was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard (name previously cited standard), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1358224, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 4/4/2019, with respect to a workplace located at 3rd Avenue & Main Street in Lava Hot Springs, ID.

Issued

Sep 27, 2021

Abate by

Oct 7, 2021

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 paragraph (b) or (c) of this section.  a) On March 31, 2021, the employer did not protect each worker by ensuring the employees stayed working within the confines of a correctly installed and used trench shield or other protective system.  Employees worked outside of the trench shield to install water line in a trench at a depth ranging from 8.0 to 10.0 feet with vertical walls.  Knife River Corporation, dba Knife River was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1358224, citation number 1, item number 1b and was affirmed as a final order on 4/4/2019, with respect to a workplace located on 3rd Avenue and Main Street in Lava Hot Springs, ID.