OSHA Inspection: AFFORD-A-ROOTER INC.

Issued

Sep 7, 2023

Abate by

Oct 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,938 · Current $0 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/her environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury:  (a) 7201 East Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO 80237: On or about March 15, 2023, and at times prior, employees were allowed to work inside the unprotected trench that was vertical wall of type B soil, approximately 11 feet deep by 8 feet wide, sloughing soil, and excessive water accumulations from a broken sewer line. This condition exposed employees to struck-by and crushing hazards. The employer did not suitably train employees on hazard identification and the methods to control or eliminate the hazards related to trenching operations.

Issued

Sep 7, 2023

Abate by

Oct 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,938 · Current $10,938

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1): An inspection of the excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems was not conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift:  (a)	7201 East Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO 80237: On or about March 15, 2023, and at times prior, when the competent person found evidence of hazardous conditions, he failed to remove the employees from the trench. Employees were exposed to cave-in hazards while repairing/rerouting a broken sewer line. During the repair, excessive accumulations of water, sloughing and undermining of the sidewalks and residential foundation occurred.

Issued

Sep 7, 2023

Abate by

Oct 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $93,755 · Current $10,938 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1): Each employee in an excavation was not protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.652 (b) or (c):  (a)	7201 East Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO 80237: On or about March 15, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees working inside a trench were protected from cave-in hazards in that employees were repairing/rerouting a broken sewer line inside the unprotected trench that was vertical wall of type B soil, approximately 11 feet deep by 8 feet wide, with sloughing soil. This condition exposed employees to struck-by and crushing hazards.

Issued

Sep 7, 2023

Abate by

Oct 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(h)(1): Employees were working in excavations in which there was accumulated water, or excavations in which water was accumulating, and adequate precautions had not been taken to protect employees against the hazards posed by water accumulation:  (a)	7201 East Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO 80237: On or about March 15, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not take adequate precautions to remove or drastically reduce the level of water that had accumulated at the bottom of the vertical wall trench before allowing employees to enter to repair/reroute a sewer line.  Employees were working inside the unprotected trench that was approximately 11 feet deep by 8 feet wide, type B soil, sloughing soil, and excessive water accumulations from a broken sewer line. This condition exposed employees to struck-by and crushing hazards.

Issued

Sep 7, 2023

Abate by

Oct 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(i)(3): Sidewalks, pavements, or appurtenant structures had been undermined and a support system or another method was not provided to protect employees from the possible collapse of such structures:  (a) 7201 East Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO 80237: On or about March 15, 2023, and at times prior, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while repairing/rerouting sewer lines below unsupported and undermined concrete walkways and the unsupported residential foundation. Employees were working inside the unprotected trench that was approximately 11 feet deep by 8 feet wide, type B soil, and sloughing soil.