OSHA Inspection: ACE SEPTIC TANK SERVICES LLC

Issued

Oct 5, 2021

Abate by

Oct 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $4,096 · Current $2,048 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.20(b)(1): It shall be the responsibility of the employer to initiate and maintain such programs as may be necessary to comply with this part.  a. On or about May 27, 2021 and at times prior, the employer did not initiate safety and health programs to ensure employees were protected from accidents and injuries and illnesses while performing trenching and excavation work. Employees were thereby exposed to hazards such as, but not limited to, caught-in, caught-between, struck-by, and struck-against associated with the trenching and excavation work being performed.

Issued

Oct 5, 2021

Abate by

Oct 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.21(b)(2): The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.  a. On or about May 27, 2021, and at times prior, employees were not instructed in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions associated with performance of trenching and excavation work. Employees were thereby exposed to hazards such as, but not limited to, caught-in, caught-between, struck-by, and struck-against, associated with the trenching and excavation work being performed.

Issued

Oct 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $4,096 · Current $2,048 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.100(a): Employees working in areas where there is a possible danger of head injury from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns, shall be protected by protective helmets.  a. On or about May 27, 2021, an employee was working in an unprotected trench below materials being added into the trench without any head protection in use. The employee was thereby exposed to a head injury from falling objects or materials in use above the excavation.

Issued

Oct 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $2,926 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.102(a)(1): The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.  a. On or about May 27, 2021, and at times prior, employees were not utilizing eye protection while cutting PVC pipe to length for installation of a sewer pipeline. As a result, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards to the eyes.

Issued

Oct 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $4,096 · Current $2,048 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(c)(2): Means of egress from trench excavations. A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be 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 or about May 27, 2021, employees were working in an approximately 9 foot deep trench, 80-foot long, unprotected trench to perform sewer line installation without a safe means of egress in place. As a result, employees were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards associated with a potential cave-in.

Issued

Oct 5, 2021

Abate by

Oct 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $4,096 · Current $2,048 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(k)(1): Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems shall be 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 shall be conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections shall also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard increasing occurrence. These inspections are only required when employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated.  a. On or about May 27, 2021, a competent person did not conduct an inspection of the excavation prior to an employee entering the unprotected trench to perform work. As a result, the employee was exposed to caught-in, caught-between, and struck-by hazards associated with trenching and excavation work being performed.

Issued

Oct 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $4,096 · Current $2,048 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:  a. On or about May 27, 2021, an employee was working within an unprotected trench that was approximately 7-9 feet in depth, 80-foot in length, without any cave-in protection in use. The employee was thereby exposed to caught-in, caught-between, crushing, and struck-by hazards associated with a potential cave-in.