Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 007 Hazard:

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 paragraph (b) or (c) of 29 CFR 1926.652. a) Delaware Route 299 and Willow Grove Mill Drive, in Middletown, DE 19709: On or about 4/12/2021; the employer failed to protect employees working in a trench by an adequate protective system. Employees engaged in trenching and excavating work adding a new sewer line to a new multi-unit development. The competent person required employees to enter and work in a trench with undermined and unsupported structures, no shields at the ends allowing soil from cracking and fissuring edges continue to breach the work area designated in the trench box and where the trench boxes come together soil was allowed to enter due to the size of the trench boxes not being the same and no type of shielding system was used to prevent the spoil pile from spilling into the work area which was improperly benched and did not have a protective shield in place.