Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001B Hazard:

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, or by a combination of both if necessary. (a) Location - Jobsite at 6 Twin Circle Drive, Arlington MA On or about 09/10/2023, employees were working in a trench/excavation with the spoil pile (pile of excavated materials) placed within two feet of the edge of the excavation. The employer did not use a sufficient retaining device to prevent materials from falling or rolling into the excavation. The employer instructed employees to enter a trench/excavation at the jobsite despite an employee's complaint to the employer that the trench looked unsafe. During the work, the trench/excavation at the jobsite caved-in on and injured and partially buried an employee. The employer did not attempt to rescue the employee and prevented the employee from seeking medical attention by taking away the employee's phone and physically hitting him with objects while the employee was still trapped.