OSHA Inspection: SOUTHPAW USA, INC.

Issued

May 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,572 · Current $3,572

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 April 3, 2023, at an establishment located at 3425 Calumet Ave in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, employees of Southpaw USA, Inc. were performing trenching activities and no competent persons had inspected the trench for hazardous conditions exposing employees to cave-in and collapse hazards of 5 feet.

Issued

May 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(g)(1)(ii): Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent employee exposure to atmospheres containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen and other hazardous atmospheres. These precautions include providing proper respiratory protection or ventilation in accordance with subparts D and E of this part respectively.  On or about April 3, 2023, at an establishment located at 3425 Calumet Ave in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, employees of Southpaw USA, Inc. were performing trenching activities and were the controlling contractor that did not ensure adequate precautions were taken to prevent hazardous atmospheres while utilizing a mini-excavator inside.

Issued

May 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(j)(2): Employees shall be protected from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations. Protection shall be provided by 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 are sufficient to prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into excavations, or by a combination of both if necessary.  On or about April 3, 2023, at an establishment located at 3425 Calumet Ave in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, employees of Southpaw USA, Inc. were performing trenching activities with the spoil pile within 2 feet of the trench side exposing employees to overhead and struck-by hazards.

Issued

May 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $2,678 · Current $2,678

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1053(b)(4): Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.  On or about April 3, 2023, at an establishment located at 3425 Calumet Ave in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, employees of Southpaw USA, Inc. were utilizing an A-frame ladder to access and egress a trench in the collapsed position against manufacturers designed purpose being exposed to fall hazards of 5 feet.