OSHA Inspection: MICK MEHLER AND SONS, INC.

Issued

May 25, 2023

Abate by

Jun 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $2,678 · Current $1,071 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2):  The employer did not 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:  On February 13, 2023, employees of Mick Mehler and Sons, Inc. were working in and around a trench located near Woodstone Apartments in Saint Peters, Missouri.  The employer did not instruct employees in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions while trenching/excavating.  The trench measured approximately 4.8 feet deep, 25 feet long and 5 feet wide.  Unsafe conditions included spoil pile placement, water accumulation, proper access/egress, soil analysis, and shear wall collapse. Employees were not able to show competency in basic requirements for safety in trench work.

Issued

May 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,572 · Current $1,429 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 were 4 feet (1.22m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62m) of lateral travel for employees:   On February 13, 2023, employees of Mick Mehler and Sons, Inc. were working in and around a trench located near Woodstone Apartments in Saint Peters, Missouri.  The trench measured approximately 4.8 Feet deep, 25 feet long and 5 feet wide.  The employer did not provide or ensure that a safe means of egress was available within 25 feet of lateral travel for a employee working inside the trench greater than 4 feet deep. The employee was exposed to struck by and engulfment hazards.

Issued

May 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,572 · Current $1,429 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2):  Protection was not provided by placing and keeping excavated or other 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:  On February 13, 2023, employees of Mick Mehler and Sons, Inc. were working in and around a trench located near Woodstone Apartments in Saint Peters, Missouri. The employer did not ensure that excavated spoils were placed at least two feet from the trench edge. Employees were exposed to engulfment and struck by hazards.

Issued

May 25, 2023

Abate by

Jun 14, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $2,500 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 have resulted in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions:  On February 13, 2023, employees of Mick Mehler and Sons, Inc. were working in and around a trench located near Woodstone Apartments in Saint Peters, Missouri.  The employer did not ensure that a competent person conducted a daily inspection of the trench/excavation before work commenced.  The measurements of the trench were approximately 4.8 Feet deep, 25 feet long and 5 feet wide.  The  employees were exposed to hazardous conditions including lack of access/egress, water accumulation, and improper spoil pile placement.

Issued

May 25, 2023

Abate by

Jun 14, 2023

Penalty

Initial $893 · Current $357 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.40(a): The employer did not provide an authorized government representative the records within 4 business hours:  Throughout the establishment located at 99 Mehler Drive in Silex, Missouri; the employer did not provide OSHA injury and illness forms 300 and 300A for years 2020, 2021 and 2022 within 4 business hours.