OSHA Inspection: M. O'HERRON COMPANY

Issued

Mar 31, 2026

Penalty

Initial $6,809 · Current $3,000 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.   (a) Franklin Area Sanitary Sewer Jobsite: On or about November 24, 2025, an employee was permitted to perform work in a trench approximately 6 feet 2 inches in depth, 7 to 8 feet in width, and approximately 15 feet in length without a safe means of access and egress, exposing the employee to cave-in and/or struck-by hazards.   No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Mar 31, 2026

Penalty

Initial $8,513 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.651(e): Employee was not prohibited to be underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment.    (a) Franklin Area Sanitary Sewer Jobsite: On or about November 24, 2025, an employee was working inside a trench directly beneath and in close proximity to a suspended precast manhole structure while guiding it into place, exposing the employee to struck-by and crushing hazards from the suspended load.  No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Mar 31, 2026

Penalty

Initial $8,513 · Current $8,000 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.  (a) Franklin Area Sanitary Sewer Jobsite: On or about November 24, 2025, excavated material was placed directly at the edge of the trench and the Case CX145D SR crawler excavator was operating on top of the soil pile while an employee was working inside the excavation, exposing the employee to struck-by and cave-in hazards from falling material and added surcharge loads.   No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Mar 31, 2026

Abate by

Apr 17, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Franklin Area Sanitary Sewer Jobsite: On or about November 24, 2025, the employer did not instruct each employee performing trenching and excavation work in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe trench conditions, the regulations applicable to their work environment, and the employer's work rules and safety program requirements for performing that work, exposing the employees to cave-in and struck-by hazards.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Mar 31, 2026

Penalty

Initial $8,513 · Current $0 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) Franklin Area Sanitary Sewer Jobsite: On or about November 24, 2025, an adequate protective system was not in place to protect an employee working in a trench approximately 6 feet 2 inches in depth on the roadway side and approximately 5 feet 2 inches in depth on the adjacent side, exposing the employee to cave-in and/or struck-by hazards.    No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Mar 31, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 for evidence of a situation that could have resulted in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions.    (a) Franklin Area Sanitary Sewer Jobsite: On or about November 24, 2025, the employer did not ensure a competent person conducted daily inspections of the excavation, the adjacent areas, and protective systems prior to employee entry and as needed throughout the shift to identify hazardous conditions, exposing the employee to cave-in and/or struck-by hazards.    No abatement certification or documentation required.