Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 005 Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.651(g)(1)(i): Where oxygen deficiency (atmospheres containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen) or a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected to exist, such as in excavations in landfill areas or excavations in areas where hazardous substances are stored nearby, the atmospheres in the excavation were not tested before employees enter excavations greater than 4 feet (1.22 m) in depth: a. On or about October 22, 2019, at the jobsite, employees were exposed to raw sewage gases when they entered a 7-foot deep trench to locate and cut into the existing sanitation line at the bottom of the trench. They cut into the sanitation line to install a PVC fitting. The atmosphere was not tested prior to entry and commencing work. b. On or about October 22, 2019, at the job site, an employee was exposed to raw sewage gases while cutting another sanitation line coming out of the north wall of a 7-foot deep trench. Raw sewage was released and accumulated at the bottom of the trench. The atmosphere was not tested prior to entry and commencing work. c. On or about October 22, 2019, at the job site, employees were exposed to raw sewage gases after a layer of soil was placed on top of the existing sanitation line at the bottom of the trench. The raw sewage was covered; however, the atmosphere was not tested prior to entry and commencing work. The employees were attempting to install a trench box around the sanitation line coming out of the south wall.