OSHA Inspection: JACK CONIE AND SONS, INC.

Issued

May 28, 2026

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.651(k)(1): Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems shall be made by a competent person for evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. An inspection shall be conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections shall also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard increasing occurrence. These inspections are only required when employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated.  a. Located at Fairfield Drive, Pickerington, Ohio: On or about March 23, 2026, the employer did not ensure that a competent person performed an inspection of the trench after conditions deteriorated due to wet and muddy soil conditions causing cave-ins. The trench shield was not secured to prevent unsafe lateral movement and egress from the trench shield was not maintained.

Issued

May 28, 2026

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $0 Reduced

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. Located at Fairfield Drive, Pickerington, Ohio: On or about March 23, 2026, the employer did not ensure that the GME trench shield in use was secured to restrict from unsafe lateral movement, such as partially backfilling the opening between the shield and the trench wall. As a result, the employee working in the trench shield was exposed to crushed-by hazards.

Issued

May 28, 2026

Penalty

Initial $16,552 · Current $10,000 Reduced

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. Located at Fairfield Drive, Pickerington, Ohio: On or about March 23, 2026, the employer did not ensure that a means of egress was maintained from the trench shield in use. The top of the trench shield was approximately 11 feet from the dirt ground along the side of the trench. As a result, the employee working in the trench was unable to safely exit the trench.   Jack Conie and Sons, Inc was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard 29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1657184, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on June 13, 2023, with respect to a workplace located near 1963 Drury Lane, Columbus, OH 43235.