Region 6 News Release: USDL-OSHA-00-75-6-29
Thurs., June 29, 2000
Contact: Diana Petterson
PHONE: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222
OSHA PROPOSES $47,725 IN PENALTIES AGAINST A CONTRACTOR AT A
TEXAS, CONSTRUCTION SITE
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has
cited a contractor with
nine alleged safety and health violations and proposed penalties
of $47,725, announced the U.S. Department of Labor.
Employees were working in a 17 foot deep
excavation in
Texas, with only one trench box that had been improperly
installed and was bowed from the pressure of the trench walls.
OSHA regulations require that, after five feet in depth, the
employer is required to protect the trench by cutting the trench
wider or another appropriate alternate method.
The employees also had to climb down the back wall of the
excavation and jump approximately five feet to the bottom of the
trench. OSHA regulations require that anytime there is a break
of 19 inches, in elevation, the employer must provide a ladder
or stairs.
OSHA cited the company with seven serious violations for
failing to inspect the excavation, not following the
manufacturers use of the trench box and not providing ladders. A
serious violation is one in which there is a substantial
probability that death or serious physical harm could result and
the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.
OSHA also cited the company with two repeat violations for
not protecting employees working in an excavation and not
providing safe access and egress to the excavation. A repeat
violation is one in which the employer has been cited previously
for a substantially similar condition.
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