OSHA Inspection: WOOD SEWER & EXCAVATING INC

Issued

Dec 7, 2023

Abate by

Jan 8, 2024

Penalty

Initial $68,754 · Current $24,556 Reduced

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 or about June 15, 2023, at 640 Michigan Street in Omro, Wisconsin, an employee was exposed to cave-in hazards working in a trench 8.5 feet deep without required cave-in protection.  The Wood & Sewer Excavating, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1926.652(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1401653, citation number 02, item number 001 and was affirmed as a final order on October 8, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 526 Crossway Rd., Fox Point, WI  53217.

Issued

Dec 7, 2023

Abate by

Jan 8, 2024

Penalty

Initial $24,556 · Current $24,556

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(c)(2):  Means of egress from trench excavations.  A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.  a)  On or about June 15, 2023, at 640 Michigan Street in Omro, Wisconsin, an employee was exposed to cave-in and struck-by hazards working from inside a trench at 8.5 feet deep without a safe means of egress.  b)  On or about June 15, 2023, at 640 Michigan Street in Omro, Wisconsin, employees were exposed to potential struck-by and fall hazards working from inside a trench shield at 8 feet deep without an access/egress ladder installed.  The Wood Sewer & Excavating, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1926.651(c)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1401653, citation number 03, item number 001 and was affirmed as a final order on October 8, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 526 Crossway Rd., Fox Point, WI  53217.

Issued

Dec 7, 2023

Abate by

Jan 8, 2024

Penalty

Initial $13,750 · Current $13,750

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(k)(2):  Where the competent person finds evidence of a situation that could result in a possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employees shall be removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety.   On or about June 15, 2023, at 640 Michigan Street in Omro, Wisconsin, the employer did not removed employees from a trench who were exposed to cave-in and struck-by hazards.  The competent person had determined cave-in protection was required, placed the spoil pile on top edge of trench, installed a trench shield that was not built to manufacturer's recommendations or secured from potential lateral movement, allowed two employees to work from inside the shield without an access/egress ladder, and allowed an employee to work outside the trench shield without an access/egress ladder.  The Wood Sewer & Excavating, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1926.651(k)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1401653, citation number 01, item number 001 and was affirmed as a final order on October 8, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 526 Crossway Rd., Fox Point, WI  53217.

Issued

Dec 7, 2023

Abate by

Jan 8, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,929 · Current $0 Reduced

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 June 15, 2023, at 640 Michigan Street in Omro, Wisconsin, an employee was exposed to a struck-by hazard while working in a trench 8.5 feet deep without the spoil pile back two feet from the trench top edge.

Issued

Dec 7, 2023

Abate by

Jan 8, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,875 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.652(g)(1)(ii):  Shields shall be installed in a manner to restrict lateral or other hazardous movement of the shield in the event of the application of sudden lateral loads.   On or about June 15, 2023, at 640 Michigan Street in Omro, Wisconsin, employees were exposed to potential struck-by hazards working from inside a trench shield at 8 feet deep without securing the shield for lateral movement.

Issued

Dec 7, 2023

Abate by

Jan 8, 2024

Penalty

Initial $1,964 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.652(c)(2)(i): Design of support systems, shield systems, or other protective systems that are drawn from manufacturer's tabulated data shall be in accordance with all specifications, recommendations, and limitations issued or made by the manufacturer.   On or about June 15, 2023, at 640 Michigan Street in Omro, Wisconsin, employees were exposed to potential struck-by and crushing hazards working from inside a Kundel #7513 trench shield at 8 feet deep that was not designed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.  Four spreader bars were connected using different sized pins, 2 keepers, and pieces of wire and tape.  The Wood Sewer & Excavating, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1926.652(d)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1401653, citation number 04, item number 001 and was affirmed as a final order on October 8, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 526 Crossway Rd., Fox Point, WI  53217.