OSHA Inspection: R. NICHOLS CIVIL CONTRACTORS LLC

Issued

Dec 15, 2025

Abate by

Jun 8, 2026

Penalty

Initial $4,965 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(h)(1): Employees were working in excavations in which there was accumulated water and adequate precautions had not been taken to protect employees against the hazards posed by water accumulation:  (a) R. Nichols Civil Contractors LLC: On or about June 27, 2025, the employer did not protect employees working at depth greater than five feet in an excavation while repairing a water line break where two employees were observed working in a trench with accumulating water. The employer did not take adequate precautions to protect employees from water accumulation hazards.

Issued

Dec 15, 2025

Abate by

Jun 8, 2026

Penalty

Initial $4,965 · Current $3,900 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:  (a) R. Nichols Civil Contractors LLC: On or about June 27, 2025, employees were exposed to cave-in hazards while attempting to repair a water main in an unprotected trench in excess of 5 feet in depth. The employer failed to protect each employee from possible collapse of the pavement on the side of the trench by the ladder.  The pavement was observed to be undermined on that side.

Issued

Dec 15, 2025

Abate by

Jun 8, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,837 · Current $3,050

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(j)(2): Employees were not protected from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations. Protection by placing and keeping such materials or equipment at least 2 feet 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 was not provided:   (a) R. Nichols Civil Contractors LLC: On or about June 27, 2025, the employer did not protect employees from struck by hazards by placing pieces of broken concrete at least 2 feet from the edge of excavations  while repairing a water line break.

Issued

Dec 15, 2025

Abate by

Jun 8, 2026

Penalty

Initial $4,965 · Current $3,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(k)(1): Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems were not made by a competent person prior to the start of work, and as needed throughout the shift, for evidence of situations that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions.  (a) R. Nichols Civil Contractors LLC: On or about June 27, 2025, the employer did not protect employees working at depth greater than five feet in an excavation while repairing a water line break.  The employer did not perform daily inspections of the excavation and adjacent areas to identify hazardous conditions.

Issued

Dec 15, 2025

Abate by

Jun 8, 2026

Penalty

Initial $4,965 · Current $4,000 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:  (a) R. Nichols Civil Contractors LLC: On or about June 27, 2025, employees were exposed to cave-in hazards while attempting to repair a water main in an unprotected trench in excess of 5 feet in depth. The employer failed to protect each employee performing work in an excavation from cave-in hazards by using appropriate protective systems designed in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of 29 CFR 1926.652.