GBA Case History Series – Case History #75 - OSHA Violations—The Risk of Sharing Equipment

Summary

Member Firm is responsible for observing the construction of drilled shafts for an extension of a shopping center project. The OSHA inspector cited several violations at the jobsite. The Member Firm arranged a hearing with their attorney and reduced the fines. A good attorney can really be your “12th Man”!

Our Hosts:

• Elizabeth Brown, PE - Principal Geotechnical Engineer/JLT Consultants

Elizabeth is the Principal Geotechnical Engineer at JLT Consultants in Boise, Idaho. Elizabeth has performed and/or assisted with numerous geotechnical investigations throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming managing projects, providing geotechnical design, project quality control, cost and value engineering, and evaluating geotechnical constructability issues.

• Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME.

Abi is a Project Consultant at SME experienced in managing a variety of steel, concrete, coatings, and nondestructive testing projects. She specializes in managing projects related to DOT fabrication quality assurance reviews but also supports project managers throughout SME’s various service groups.

Lessons Learned:

• Safety Inspectors Have Significant Authority over Site Activities


• When in Doubt, Discuss the Appropriateness of Procedures with OSHA


• Attorneys Experienced with the Matter in Dispute Are Great Assets


• Train Your Field Personnel in Proper Response to Safety Violations


• Be Proactive about Safety

Calls-to-action:

• Download Case History #75


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• Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.


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This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

• Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME.


• Elizabeth Brown, PE - Principal Geotechnical Engineer/JLT Consultants


• Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Apex Companies, LLC