OSHA Inspection: SUPERIOR SEWER AND WATER INC.

Issued

Sep 27, 2024

Abate by

Oct 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $7,098

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to falling from and/or struck by the excavator components while being elevated inside the excavator bucket:   On or about May 28, 2024, at a work-site located along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; an employee elevated in the bucket of an excavator approximately 30 feet above the bottom of the trench excavation was not protected from the fall hazard.

Issued

Sep 27, 2024

Abate by

Oct 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $7,098

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:   a) On or about May 28, 2024, at a worksite along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; the employer failed to ensure excavated material was placed at least two feet from the edge of the excavation. Employee(s) installing new sanitary sewer pipe and water pump lines in an excavation were potentially exposed to falling soil.  b) On or about May 29, 2024, at a worksite along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; the employer failed to ensure excavated material was placed at least two feet from the edge of the excavation. Employee(s) installing new sanitary sewer pipe and water pump lines in an excavation were potentially exposed to falling soil.

Issued

Sep 27, 2024

Abate by

Oct 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $7,098

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:   a) On or about May 28, 2024, at a worksite located along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; an employee working within a trench with two trench boxes stacked on one another was not protected from the application of sudden lateral loads, as the area on the sides of the trench shields was not back filled to prevent movement.  b) On or about May 29, 2024, at a worksite located along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; an employee working within a trench with one trench box and multiple steel plates driven alongside it was not protected from the application of sudden lateral loads, as the area on the sides of the trench shield and plates were not backfilled to prevent movement.

Issued

Sep 27, 2024

Abate by

Oct 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.652(g)(1)(iii): Employees shall be protected from the hazard of cave-ins when entering or exiting the areas protected by shields:   a) On or about May 28, 2024, at a worksite located along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; an employee entering and exiting the trench box was not protected from potential cave-in hazards as the ladder did not extend out beyond the hazardous area nor was additional trench protection provided.   b) On or about May 29, 2024, at a worksite located along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; an employee entering and exiting the trench box was not protected from potential cave-in hazards as the ladder did not extend out beyond the hazardous area nor was additional trench protection provided.

Issued

Sep 27, 2024

Abate by

Oct 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $35,488 · Current $35,488

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 May 28, 2024, at a worksite located along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; employees accessing the excavation and trench were not utilizing a ladder or other safe means of egress while positioning water pump hoses.   b) On or about May 29, 2024, at a worksite located along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; employees accessing the exaction and trench were not provided with a ladder that was within 25 lateral feet of their work area. The employees were required to exit trench protection to access the ladder.   Superior Sewer and Water Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1926.651(c)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1539724, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on December 22, 2021, with respect to a worksite located at Holland Road and County Highway D, Kaukauna, Wisconsin.  Superior Sewer and Water Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1926.651(c)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1533413, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on August 3, 2021. with respect to a worksite located at 1801 Deer Trail Court, Luxemburg, Wisconsin.

Issued

Sep 27, 2024

Abate by

Oct 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,195 · Current $14,195

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:  a) On or about May 28, 2024, at a worksite located along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; an employee engaged in sanitary sewer pipe installation and water removal was exposed to cave-in hazards when working in an unprotected trench that was 30 feet deep. The trench boxes installed did not meet the standard requirements and did not protect the employee from potential cave-in hazards from above and box ends. The trench was over 20 feet deep and did not have written professional engineer approved design.   b) On or about May 29, 2024, at a worksite located along Mid Valley Road, De Pere, Wisconsin; an employee engaged in sanitary sewer pipe installation and water removal was exposed to cave-in hazards when working in an unprotected trench that was 30 feet deep. The trench box and steel plates installed did not meet the standard requirements and did not protect the employee from potential cave-in hazards from above and box ends. The trench was over 20 feet deep and did not have written professional engineer approved design.  Superior Sewer and Water Inc. was previous cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1926.652(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1539724, Citation Number 1, Item Number 2b, and was affirmed as a Final Order on December 22, 2021, with respect to a worksite located at Holland Road and Co Hwy D, Kaukauna, Wisconsin.