OSHA Inspection: COSTA CONTRACTING, INC.

Issued

Mar 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,031 · Current $8,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(j)(2): Employees were not protected from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations by either placing and keeping such materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61 m) 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) Job site, 1231 Clinton Road, Zone B between inlets 145 and 148, Imperial, PA: On or about November 17, 2022, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from the hazard of having materials/equipment at the edge of the excavation falling/rolling/sliding into it in that up to approximately 3200 lbs. or more of weight, comprised of a steel plate and the items and personnel on it, were located within 2 feet of and on/over the edge of the excavation, which resulted in it collapsing/sliding into the excavation with such force that it displaced the two trench boxes inside.

Issued

Mar 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.652(d)(2): Manufactured materials and equipment used for protective systems was not used and maintained in a manner that was consistent with the recommendations of the manufacturer, and in a manner that would prevent employee exposure to hazards:   a) Job site, 1231 Clinton Road, Zone B between inlets 145 and 148, Imperial, PA: On or about November 17, 2022, the employer did not ensure that trench boxes were used in accordance with the manufacturers directions. Deficiencies noted during the inspection included, but were not limited to, failing to properly pin all 4 corners of the upper and lower trench boxes together, as only one pin was found to be in use in one corner of the upper and lower trench boxes.

Issued

Mar 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.652(g)(1)(ii): Shields were not installed in a manner to restrict lateral or other hazardous movement of the shield in the event of the application of sudden lateral loads:    a) Job site, 1231 Clinton Road, Zone B between inlets 145 and 148, Imperial, PA: On or about November 17, 2022, the employer did not ensure that the trench boxes in use in the excavation were installed in a manner so as to restrict their movement in the case of a sudden lateral load. It was determined that the boxes were 6 feet in total width, and that at least 1 to 1 1/2 feet of space or more existed on each side between the trench boxes and the excavation walls with no backfill in use or other actions taken to prevent movement of the boxes in the event of a sudden lateral load being placed on them, such as the event that took place on this day, which led to displacement of these boxes.