OSHA Inspection: UTILITY CONTRACTING, INC.

Issued

Jul 22, 2024

Abate by

Sep 16, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,452 · Current $3,226 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.) On or about May 9, 2024, at or near the Northeast intersection of School St. and Rebecca Ave. Hubbard OH, 44425, the employer did not train employees to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions while working within unprotected trenches, exposing them to cave-in hazards.  b.) On or about May 13, 2024, at or near a residential home located at 549 Caroline Ave. Hubbard OH 44425, the employer did not train employees to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions while working within unprotected trenches, improper access/egress, and spoil piles not 2 ft back from an excavation, exposing them to cave-in hazards.

Issued

Jul 22, 2024

Abate by

Aug 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,452 · Current $0 Reduced

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.  a.) On or about May 9, 2024, at or near the Northeast intersection of School St. and Rebecca Ave. Hubbard OH, 44425 a competent person was on site and did not identify hazards associated with the lack of cave-in protection from a trench which resulted in a trench collapse injuring an employee.  b.) On or about May 13, 2024, at or near a residential home located at 549 Caroline Ave. Hubbard, OH, 44425 a competent person was on site and did not identify hazards associated with the lack of cave-in protection, spoils piles placed near the edge of the trenches, and no safe means of egress from the trenches; and failed to remove exposed employees working within the trenches to install a water line, exposing employees to caught-in hazards.

Issued

Jul 22, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,452 · Current $3,226 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 or about May 13, 2024, at or near a residential home located at 549 Caroline Ave. Hubbard, OH, 44425, the employer did not ensure a stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress was nearby an employee installing a water line in a trench with near vertical side walls and a depth of approximately 6 ft.

Issued

Jul 22, 2024

Abate by

Aug 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $0 Reduced

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:  On or about May 13, 2024, at or near a residential home located at 549 Caroline Ave. Hubbard, OH, 44425, the employer did not ensure that a support system or other method was provided to protect employees working in a trench up to approximately 6 ft in depth from collapse of an undermined concrete curb and a storm drainpipe, thus exposing employees to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Jul 22, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,452 · Current $3,226 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 (.61m) 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 or about May 13, 2024, at or near a residential home located at 549 Caroline Ave. Hubbard, OH, 44425, the employer did not ensure that protection was provided to protect employees working in trenches from being struck by rocks, clods, and accumulations of excess soil placed directly on the edge of the trench. Spoils piles were placed within 1 ft of the edge of the trench exposing employees to struck by and caught in hazards.

Issued

Jul 22, 2024

Abate by

Aug 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $64,529 · Current $32,265 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.) On or about May 9, 2024, at or near the Northeast intersection of School St. and Rebecca Ave. Hubbard OH 44425, the employer did not ensure adequate cave-in protection was used to protect employees installing a water line in a trench with near vertical side walls and a depth of approximately 6 ft.  b.) On or about May 13, 2024, at or near a residential home located at 549 Caroline Ave. Hubbard, OH, 44425, the employer did not ensure adequate cave-in protection was used to protect employees installing a water line in two separate trenches with near vertical side walls and depths of approximately 6 ft and 7 ft exposing employees to caught-in hazards.