OSHA Inspection: GROUNDWORKS FRS LLC

Issued

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10140.00 · Current $16131.00

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 June 19, 2024, employees of Groundworks FRS LLC, dba: Foundation Recovery Systems were working at a residence located at 304 Hillcrest Boulevard in Ballwin, Missouri. The employer did not ensure a safe means of egress was located in trench areas where employees were installing piers under the foundation of the home. The trench measured approximately 17 feet long and ranged in depths of 5 to 10 feet deep. The employees working in and around the trench were exposed to struck-by and engulfment hazards.

Issued

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15211.00 · Current $16131.00

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 (.61 m) 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 June 19, 2024, employees of Groundworks FRS LLC, dba: Foundation Recovery Systems were working at a residence located at 304 Hillcrest Boulevard in Ballwin, Missouri. The employer did not ensure spoils from the trench were placed at least 2 feet from the edge of the excavation. The spoils were placed under the carport on the concrete pad directly on the edge forming the trench wall.

Issued

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16131.00 · Current $16131.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(2): Where the competent person found 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 employee(s) was/were not removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety:  On June 19, 2024, employees of Groundworks FRS LLC, dba: Foundation Recovery Systems were working at a residence located at 304 Hillcrest Boulevard in Ballwin, Missouri. The employer did not ensure employees were removed from working inside a trench installing push piers and repair brackets when hazardous condition(s) were identified. The hazardous conditions in the trench included but not limited to lack of access/egress, lack of protective system, and improper spoil pile placement.  An employee working in the trench required rescue by emergency services when the trench wall collapsed.

Issued

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $88721.00 · Current $16131.00 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 paragraph (b) or (c) of this section:  On June 19, 2024, employees of Groundworks FRS LLC, dba: Foundation Recovery Systems, were working at a residence located at 304 Hillcrest Boulevard in Ballwin, Missouri.  The employer did not provide or require the use of benching, sloping, shoring or other means of protective systems when work is being performed by employees in excavations deeper than 5 feet. Employees installing piers and brackets under the foundation walls of a home were exposed to engulfment hazards.  Groundworks Colorado LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1556072, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 4/26/2022, with respect to a workplace located at 638 Meadow Road in Snowmass Village, Colorado.