OSHA Inspection: COMMONWEALTH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 6, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1):  Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems was 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. An inspection was not conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift.   On June 3, 2021, employees of Commonwealth Construction Co. were installing 6 inch sanitary pipe in a trench 11.5 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 140 feet long at a residential construction site located at 9246 Sappington Road, Sappington, MO.  The employer did not ensure a competent person inspected the excavation and surrounding areas to identify any potential hazards prior to the start of work.

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 6, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

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:  On June 3, 2021, employees of Commonwealth Construction Co. were installing 6 inch sanitary pipe in a trench 11.5 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 140 feet long at a residential construction site located at 9246 Sappington Road, Sappington, MO.  The employer did not provide or require the use of benching, sloping, shoring or other means to ensure that employees working in excavations were protected from engulfment hazards.

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 6, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,121 · Current $3,121

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1):  When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails did not extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access.  On June 3, 2021, employees of Commonwealth Construction Co. were installing 6 inch sanitary pipe in a trench 11.5 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 140 feet long at a residential construction site located at 9246 Sappington Road, Sappington, MO.   A portable folding ladder was positioned inside the trench for access/egress.  Employee(s) using the ladder were not protected from falls by securing or extending the ladder side rails to at least three feet above the side of the trench.

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 6, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,362 · Current $9,362

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 his work environment to control or eliminate any hazard(s) or other exposure to illness or injury:  On June 3, 2021, employees of Commonwealth Construction Co. were installing 6 inch sanitary pipe in a trench 11.5 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 140 feet long at a residential construction site located at 9246 Sappington Road, Sappington, MO.  The employer is failing to ensure employees are trained to recognize engulfment hazards associated with working in an excavation.  The employer failed to train employees in the hazards associated with working in excavations that are outlined in 29 CFR 1926, Subpart P.  Commonwealth Construction Company was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1183257, citation number 1, item number 1b and was affirmed as a final order on 11/10/2016, with respect to a workplace located at or near 920 Rock Road, Labadie, MO.

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 6, 2021

Penalty

Initial $780 · Current $780

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.40(a): The employer did not provide an authorized government representative the records within four business hours:  On June 9, 2021 Commonwealth Construction Co. was in receipt of an official document request for OSHA 300 injury and illness logs.  The employer failed to provide copies of the OSHA 300 log injury and illness records for Commonwealth Construction Co. within (4) business hours of the records being requested both verbally and in writing.