OSHA Inspection: ARNOLD & SONS PLUMBING-HEATING-A/C, INC.

Issued

Jun 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $8,110 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 condition(s) and the regulation(s) applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazard(s) or other exposure to illness or injury:  On or about May 23, 2025, employees were exposed to cave-in hazards while working inside a 7 feet 6 inch deep trench and the employer had not provided training for employees to recognize unsafe conditions regarding trenching and excavations.

Issued

Jun 11, 2025

Abate by

Jul 14, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1):  An inspection of the excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems was not conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift:   On or about May 23, 2025, employees were exposed to cave-in hazards while working inside a 7 feet 6 inch deep trench and the employer had not ensured a competent person had inspected the excavation and adjacent area prior to starting work.

Issued

Jun 11, 2025

Abate by

Jul 14, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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).   On or about May 23, 2025, employees were exposed to cave-in hazards while working inside a 7 feet 6 inch deep trench and the employer had not ensured an adequate protection system was used.

Issued

Jun 11, 2025

Abate by

Jul 14, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $0 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 23, 2025, employees were exposed to cave-in hazards while working inside a 7 feet 6 inch deep trench and the employer had not ensured the spoil pile was at least two feet from the trench wall.

Issued

Jun 11, 2025

Abate by

Jul 14, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $4,634 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1):  Where (a) portable ladder(s) was/were used for access to an upper level landing surface and the ladder's length did not allow the ladder side rails to extend at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface being accessed, the ladder was not secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and/or a grasping device was not provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder.   On or about May 23, 2025, employees were exposed to fall hazards of 7 feet 6 inches while using a portable ladder to access and exit a trench and the employer had not ensured the portable ladder extended three feet above the upper landing surface.

Issued

Jun 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1060(a):  The employer did not provide a training program for each employee using ladders and stairways, as necessary, which would enable each employee to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways and train each employee in the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards:  On or about May 23, 2025, employees were exposed to fall hazards of 7 feet 6 inches while using a portable ladder to access and exit a trench and the employer had not provided construction safety training in hazard recognition related to ladders.