OSHA Inspection: PALMER & SON EXCAVATING, LTD

Issued

2021-07-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3511.00 · Current $1400.00 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 except when:  On or about June 15, 2021, at a job-site located at 1004 E. Bowman St, Wooster, Ohio 44691; the employer did not ensure adequate cave-in protection was used to protect an employee working inside a trench with near vertical side walls and a depth varying from approximately 4.7 to 5.0 feet.

Issued

2021-07-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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.  On or about June 15, 2021, at a job-site located at 1004 E. Bowman St, Wooster, Ohio 44691; the competent person did not conduct inspections of the trench for evidence that could result in a possible  cave-in, in that employees were working in a trench with near vertical walls, 5 feet deep, in an area with heavy motor vehicle traffic, and standing water on the trench floor. The potential collapse of the side walls were not addressed considering the worksite changing conditions.