<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
		<META NAME="KEYWORDS" CONTENT="OSHRC Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission">
		<TITLE> HENSEL PHELPS CONSTRUCTION CO., Docket No. 15-1638</TITLE>
		<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8"/>
		<style type="text/css">
 p.hiddenParagraph { visibility:hidden } 
 p { widows:0; orphans:0; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; widows:0; orphans:0; margin-top:0; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:WindowText; } 
 p { font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; widows:0; orphans:0; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman;  }  p.style_Normal { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; widows:0; orphans:0; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_Normal span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_Heading1 { outline-width:1; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:underline ;} 
.style_Heading1 span { font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:underline ;} 
 p.style_Heading2 { outline-width:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:132px; text-indent:-1.588cm; font-weight:normal; font-style:italic; text-transform:none;} 
.style_Heading2 span { font-weight:normal; font-style:italic; text-transform:none;} 
 p.style_Heading4 { outline-width:4; margin-left:120px; text-indent:-.635cm; font-style:normal; } 
.style_Heading4 span { font-style:normal; } 
 span.style_DefaultParagraphFont { } 
 table.style_TableNormal { } 
 p.style_FootnoteText { } 
.style_FootnoteText span { } 
 span.style_FootnoteTextChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_FootnoteTextChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 span.style_FootnoteReference { position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;} 
.style_FootnoteReference span { position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;} 
 p.style_Footer { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; } 
 span.style_FooterChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_FooterChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 span.style_PageNumber { } 
 span.style_apple-style-span { } 
 p.style_HTMLPreformatted { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; widows:2; orphans:2; font-family:Courier New; } 
.style_HTMLPreformatted span { font-family:Courier New; } 
 span.style_HTMLPreformattedChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Courier New; } 
.style_HTMLPreformattedChar span { font-family:Courier New; } 
 p.style_Header { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; } 
 span.style_HeaderChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_HeaderChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_Default { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; font-size:12pt; font-family:Courier New; color:#000000; } 
.style_Default span { font-family:Courier New; color:#000000; } 
 span.style_apple-converted-space { } 
 span.style_Emphasis { font-style:italic; } 
.style_Emphasis span { font-style:italic; } 
 p.style_NormalWeb { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; margin-top:6.667px; margin-bottom:6.667px; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:12pt; } 
.style_NormalWeb span { } 
 p.style_Revision { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_Revision span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_BalloonText { font-size:8pt; font-family:Tahoma; } 
.style_BalloonText span { font-family:Tahoma; } 
 span.style_BalloonTextChar { font-size:8pt; font-family:Tahoma; } 
.style_BalloonTextChar span { font-family:Tahoma; } 
 p.style_ListParagraph { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; margin-left:48px; } 
 span.style_Hyperlink { color:#0000FF; text-decoration:underline ;} 
.style_Hyperlink span { color:#0000FF; text-decoration:underline ;} 
 span.style_CommentReference { font-size:8pt; } 
.style_CommentReference span { } 
 p.style_CommentText { } 
.style_CommentText span { } 
 span.style_CommentTextChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_CommentTextChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_CommentSubject { font-weight:bold; } 
.style_CommentSubject span { font-weight:bold; } 
 span.style_CommentSubjectChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; } 
.style_CommentSubjectChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; } 
 span.style_Heading1Char { font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:underline ;} 
.style_Heading1Char span { font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:underline ;} 
 span.style_Heading2Char { font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; } 
.style_Heading2Char span { font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; } 
 span.style_Heading4Char { font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_Heading4Char span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_TitleBA { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:20px; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:center; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;color:WindowText; letter-spacing:normal; } 
.style_TitleBA span { font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;color:WindowText; letter-spacing:normal; } 
 p.style_TitleBU { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:20px; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:center; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; color:WindowText; letter-spacing:normal; text-decoration:underline ;} 
.style_TitleBU span { font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; color:WindowText; letter-spacing:normal; text-decoration:underline ;} 
 p.style_BodyTextDouble { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; text-align:justify; } 
 p.style_Address { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; widows:0; orphans:0; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New; } 
.style_Address span { font-family:Times New; } 
 p.style_Title { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:20px; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:26pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#17365D; letter-spacing:.009cm; } 
.style_Title span { font-family:Times New Roman; color:#17365D; letter-spacing:.009cm; } 
 span.style_TitleChar { font-size:26pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#17365D; letter-spacing:.009cm; } 
.style_TitleChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; color:#17365D; letter-spacing:.009cm; } 
 p.style_BodyText { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:12pt; } 
.style_BodyText span { } 
 span.style_BodyTextChar { font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_BodyTextChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_BodyTextFirstIndent { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:.635cm; } 
 span.style_BodyTextFirstIndentChar { font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_BodyTextFirstIndentChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_BodyText2 { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:2; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:12pt; } 
.style_BodyText2 span { } 
 span.style_BodyText2Char { font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_BodyText2Char span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_BodyTextIndent { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:12pt; } 
.style_BodyTextIndent span { } 
 span.style_BodyTextIndentChar { font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_BodyTextIndentChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_BlockText { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; margin-left:76.8px; margin-right:76.8px; widows:2; orphans:2; border-bottom:solid 0.25pt #4F81BD;border-top:solid 0.25pt #4F81BD;border-right:solid 0.25pt #4F81BD;border-left:solid 0.25pt #4F81BD;font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#4F81BD; } 
.style_BlockText span { font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#4F81BD; } 
 p.style_EndnoteText { } 
.style_EndnoteText span { } 
 span.style_EndnoteTextChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_EndnoteTextChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 span.style_EndnoteReference { position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;} 
.style_EndnoteReference span { position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;} 
 span.X3AS7TOCHyperlink { color:#000000; text-decoration:none; } 
 p.X3AS7TABSTYLE { } 
 span.BulletSymbol { font-family:'Symbol'; } 
 body { margin-left:96px;margin-top:96px;margin-bottom:96px;margin-right:96px;} 
div.basic { width:16.51cm;height:22.86cm;} 
 p.hiddenParagraph { font-size:2pt; visibility:hidden; } 
</style>
		<script type="text/javascript">
							var useragent = navigator.userAgent;
							var navigatorname;
							if (useragent.indexOf('MSIE')!= -1)
							{
							navigatorname="MSIE";
							}
							else if (useragent.indexOf('Gecko')!= -1)
							{
							if (useragent.indexOf('Chrome')!= -1)
							navigatorname="Google Chrome";
							else
							navigatorname="Mozilla";
							}
							else if (useragent.indexOf('Mozilla')!= -1)
							{
							navigatorname="old Netscape or Mozilla";
							}
							else if (useragent.indexOf('Opera')!= -1)
							{
							navigatorname="Opera";
							}
							
							function symbol(code1,code2)
							{
							if (navigatorname == 'MSIE')
								document.write(code1);
							else
								document.write(code2);
							}
							</script>
	</head>
	<body xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div class="basic"><div>
				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION</span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<table style="border-collapse:collapse; width:auto; align:left; margin-left:-.191cm; margin-bottom:0cm">
				<tr style="margin:0;border:0;padding:0;visibility:hidden;">
					<th style="width:319.2px;"/>
				</tr>
				<tr>
					<td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;background-color:; border-right:dashed .018cm #000000; border-top:solid .018cm #000000; width:8.446cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">S</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ECRETARY OF LABOR</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
									</span></span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr style="height:.667cm; ">
					<td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;background-color:; border-right:dashed .018cm #000000; width:8.446cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
								</span></p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
								</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Complainan</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">t,</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr>
					<td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;background-color:; border-right:dashed .018cm #000000; width:8.446cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
								</span></p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> v. </span></p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr>
					<td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;background-color:; border-right:dashed .018cm #000000; width:8.446cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">HENSEL PHELPS</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
									</span>CONSTRUCTION CO.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, </span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr>
					<td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;background-color:; border-right:dashed .018cm #000000; border-bottom:solid .018cm #000000; width:8.446cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
								</span></p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> Respondent.</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
			</table>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p>
				</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p>
					<span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">DOCKET NO. 15-1638</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Appearances:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:48px; margin-right:-48px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Michael D. Schoen</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, Esq.,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Dallas, Texas</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-right:-48px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>For Complainant</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-right:-48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-right:-48px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Michael V. Abcarian, Fisher & Phillips, LLC, Dallas, Texas</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-right:-48px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">For Respondent</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Before: Administrative Law Judge<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Brian A. Duncan</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">DECISION AND ORDER</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Procedural History</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>
				<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>This<span>
				</span>matter<span><span></span>
				</span>is before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (“Commission”) pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. §<span><span></span>
				</span>651<span>
				</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">et seq</span>.<span><span></span>
				</span>(“the Act”). On<span>
				</span>March 4, 2015, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”)<span>
				</span>inspected<span><span></span>
				</span>a<span><span></span>
				</span>Hensel Phelps Construction Company<span><span></span>
				</span>(“Respondent”)<span><span></span>
				</span>jobsite located at<span>
				</span>100 West Avenue,<span>
				</span>in Austin, Texas. (Stip. 1). As a result of that inspection, OSHA issued a<span>
				</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Citation and Notification of Penalty</span><span><span></span>
				</span>(“Citation”)<span>
				</span>to Respondent alleging one willful violation<span><span></span>
				</span>of the Act with a proposed penalty of $70,000.00.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stips. 104, 107).<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>Respondent timely contested the Citation.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 105).<span>
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>
			</p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Stipulations</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Pursuant to Commission Rule 61, 29 C.F.R. §2200.61, the parties fully stipulated<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the facts of this case and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">each<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">separately<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">moved for a decision<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">based<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">upon<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the stipulated</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>record. The parties’<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Joint Stipulations of Fact and Procedure</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">which contains one-hundred-thirty (130) stipulations, was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>filed on Ja</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">nuary 12, 2017. Each party’s dispositive motion was filed on February 17, 2017.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Jurisdiction</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Jurisdiction is conferred upon the Commission pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Act. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">an employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">engaged in a business<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">and industry<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">affecting<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">interstate commerce<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">within t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">he meaning of Section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">3(5) of the Act</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 29 U.S.C. §</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">652(5).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(Stips</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. 109, 110).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See also</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Slingluff v. OSHRC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 425 F.3d 861 (10</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Cir. 2005).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Background</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>On<span><span></span>
				</span>March 4, 2015, the OSHA<span>
				</span>Area Office<span>
				</span>in Austin, Texas<span>
				</span>received a<span>
				</span>complaint<span><span></span>
				</span>concerning a<span>
				</span>construction<span>
				</span>jobsite<span>
				</span>for<span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>new Austin Central Public Library<span>
				</span>(“library project”). (Stips.<span>
				</span>11, 88). The complaint alleged<span><span></span>
				</span>that<span>
				</span>employees of<span>
				</span>CVI<span>
				</span>Development, LLC (“CVI”)<span>
				</span>were working in hazardous conditions at the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall. (Stip. 88).<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>In response, OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officer<span><span></span>
				</span>Greg Halter<span>
				</span>(“CSHO Halter”) was dispatched to the worksite to conduct an inspection.<span>
				</span>(Stip. 102).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>The inspection revealed<span>
				</span>that, on March 4, 2015,<span><span></span>
				</span>CVI<span>
				</span>employees<span>
				</span>Olivarel Nativadad,<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref1" href="#ftn1">1</a></span><span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>Pedro Sanchez, and Karl Daniels (who was also the owner and President of CVI)<span>
				</span>were<span>
				</span>working next to an excavated wall, an area referred to as<span><span></span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall,<span><span></span>
				</span>which<span>
				</span>measured approximately twelve feet, six inches (12' 6") in depth by one hundred fifty feet (150') in length.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stips.<span>
				</span>10,<span>
				</span>37-39,<span>
				</span>76,<span>
				</span>78-80; Exs. 5-8).<span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>The parties’ stipulations<span>
				</span>are sufficient to prove the<span>
				</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">prima facie</span><span><span></span>
				</span>elements necessary to establish the cited violation.<span>
				</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
				</span>Discussion<span><span></span>
				</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">infra</span>. Therefore, the<span><span></span>
				</span>sole<span>
				</span>remaining<span>
				</span>issue is whether Respondent, as the General Contractor on the jobsite, can be found liable for the Citation based upon CVI employees’ exposure to the violative condition,<span><span></span>
				</span>under OSHA’s “controlling employer” enforcement policy.<span style="background-color:#FFFF00; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>Respondent entered into a contract with the City of Austin to build the library back in 2010. (Stip. 11; Ex. 1). Respondent<span><span></span>
				</span>subcontracted with Haynes<span>
				</span>Eaglin Watters, LLC (“HEW”)<span><span></span>
				</span>in<span>
				</span>2014<span>
				</span>to complete certain foundation and screen wall work on the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stips. 4, 29; Ex. 2). HEW<span>
				</span>then subcontracted with CVI<span>
				</span>to complete all demolition, excavation and haul-off, backfill and drain, and site concrete (foundation & retaining walls) work as required for the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 35; Ex. 3).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>Respondent had overall construction management<span>
				</span>authority on<span><span></span>
				</span>the library<span><span></span>
				</span>project.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 28). Respondent supervised the library work through<span>
				</span>various<span>
				</span>on-site<span>
				</span>management personnel, including superintendents, project engineers,<span><span></span>
				</span>and project manager(s).<span>
				</span>(Stips. 13-21, 24, 26). Many of Respondent’s<span><span></span>
				</span>management personnel<span><span></span>
				</span>at this jobsite<span>
				</span>had extensive OSHA training, education, and experience (Stips. 22, 23, 25, 27).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>In<span>
				</span>December 2014, Respondent submitted an<span><span></span>
				</span>Excavation Safety Plan<span>
				</span>to the City of Austin, which was<span>
				</span>prepared by HEW.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 43). All relevant construction documents<span>
				</span>(including the ROCIP Project Safety Manual, HP’s Excavation Safety Plan and HP’s Accident Prevention Plan)<span>
				</span>specified a requirement at the<span>
				</span>Seaholm<span>
				</span>Substation East Screen Wall<span>
				</span>to include an excavation<span><span></span>
				</span>slope of 1.5 (horizontal) to 1 (vertical), as well as<span>
				</span>5 feet of level ground before<span>
				</span>reaching the security fence surrounding the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall work area.<span>
				</span>(Stip. 44).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>In February<span>
				</span>2015,<span>
				</span>after another subcontractor was brought in to resolve<span><span></span>
				</span>unforeseen underground structure<span>
				</span>and asbestos<span>
				</span>issues,<span>
				</span>CVI began<span><span></span>
				</span>to lay<span><span></span>
				</span>out<span>
				</span>footings for the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stips.<span>
				</span>45-56). CVI<span>
				</span>quickly<span>
				</span>determined that the wall footings were<span>
				</span>not going to fit the jobsite<span>
				</span>in accordance with construction drawings and requirements identified by Respondent’s engineers. CVI<span>
				</span>notified HEW<span>
				</span>of this problem, who in turn notified Respondent.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 57). Respondent’s<span><span></span>
				</span>management personnel visited and observed the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall site<span><span></span>
				</span>to evaluate the<span><span></span>
				</span>issue.<span>
				</span>(Stip. 59). The City of Austin ultimately agreed that the planned<span>
				</span>Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall<span>
				</span>could be moved<span>
				</span>nine inches<span><span></span>
				</span>(9”), so as to be<span>
				</span>constructed immediately next to vertical<span>
				</span>excavation<span>
				</span>faces<span>
				</span>consisting of soil,<span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>unknown<span>
				</span>fragments of<span>
				</span>brick, metal, wood and<span><span></span>
				</span>concrete.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip.<span>
				</span>61,<span><span></span>
				</span>62; Exs. 5, 6, 7, 8).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>On<span>
				</span>the morning of March 4, 2015, CVI owner Karl Daniels<span><span></span>
				</span>sent his<span><span></span>
				</span>employees to work at another location on the library project (a<span>
				</span>different work area<span>
				</span>-<span>
				</span>unrelated to the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall),<span>
				</span>while he awaited instructions from<span><span></span>
				</span>Respondent<span><span></span>
				</span>and/or HEW<span>
				</span>concerning the<span>
				</span>work to be performed at the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 63). A City of Austin Inspector observed the CVI employees working at the other<span>
				</span>area,<span><span></span>
				</span>and told CVI owner Karl Daniels that<span>
				</span>the only place CVI employees should be working at that time was at the utility pole location within the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stips. 64-66). The City of Austin Inspector followed up these instructions in an email stating the same to<span>
				</span>various<span>
				</span>members of Respondent’s project management team<span><span></span>
				</span>and HEW management personnel. (Stips. 67-70; Ex. 4).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>The Court notes that<span>
				</span>in<span>
				</span>the email communications<span><span></span>
				</span>on this topic, CVI owner Karl Daniels expressed safety concerns about his employees working on the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall that day. (Ex. 4). Mr. Daniels wrote to three HEW managers: “If the ‘urgency’ is due to the exposed electrical pole not being properly shored then CVI is concerned about working in said area. Please correct me if I am wrong, but CVI has been provided direction from Ash from Hensel Phelps [Respondent] to proceed with placing rebar for the walls discussed, however placing rebar in the mud and rain is unorthodox and very dangerous.” (Stips. 32-34, 68; Ex. 4, p.1-2). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>After sending the March 4<span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span> e-mail, the City of Austin Inspector<span><span></span>
				</span>returned to Mr. Daniels and told him that<span>
				</span>he had his notice about what CVI employees were expected to be doing and where—i.e., working only on the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall, and at no other<span>
				</span>area of the library project<span>
				</span>until needed reinforcement and related work around the small transmission pole at the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall had been fully addressed.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 69).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>Lawrence<span>
				</span>Harding, Respondent’s Area Superintendent, received the City of Austin Inspector’s<span><span></span>
				</span>March 4<span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span><span></span>
				</span>e-mail and forwarded it<span>
				</span>to<span>
				</span>Jay Herzing,<span>
				</span>Respondent’s Project Superintendent; Tracey Robinson, Respondent’s Engineer; Jesus Pena, Respondent’s Engineer;<span>
				</span>Troy Saint, HEW Project Superintendent; Clotiel Haynes, HEW President;<span><span></span>
				</span>Eric McClure, HEW Project Superintendent;<span><span></span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>HEW Project Superintendent Willie Ibarra,<span><span></span>
				</span>with the added<span>
				</span>message:<span>
				</span>“At this time CVI may not continue on any other work in regards to Seaholm substation until the AE [Austin Energy] and COA [City of Austin] concerns of reinforcing bar and concrete placement to the adjacent small transmission pole has been completed.”<span><span></span>
				</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:justify; margin-right:48px; ">(Stips. 24, 26, 70).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText2 style_BodyText2 style_BodyTextDouble style_BodyTextDouble " style="line-height:1; margin-left:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>As a result of these oral and email communications,<span>
				</span>Mr. Daniels pulled CVI employees from work<span><span></span>
				</span>at<span><span></span>
				</span>the other, unrelated location, and sent them to prepare the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall area for rebar installation, which<span>
				</span>included, but was not limited to, digging the shear key, framing the pour area, tie-in of steel rebar,<span><span></span>
				</span>and pouring the footings.<span>
				</span>(Stips. 72, 73; Exs. 5,<span><span></span>
				</span>6). Later that same day,<span><span></span>
				</span>still<span>
				</span>March 4, 2015, as CVI employees were installing rebar next to the unprotected twelve-foot vertical wall, it began<span><span></span>
				</span>raining intermittently.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 75). Respondent’s Area Superintendent Lawrence Harding, Respondent’s Project Superintendent Jay Herzing,<span>
				</span>HEW Project Superintendent Willie Ibarra, and the City of Austin Inspector were all<span><span></span>
				</span>present at the<span>
				</span>Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall<span><span></span>
				</span>while<span><span></span>
				</span>CVI employees were performing this work.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stips. 24,<span>
				</span>26,<span>
				</span>76, 77, 81; Exs. 5, 6, 7). In other words, CVI employees were working next to the exposed face of a 12-foot high, excavated, vertical, wet, soil wall that was not properly sloped or otherwise protected from cave-in hazards, in full view of Respondent’s management personnel. (Exs. 5, 6).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>After OSHA’s<span>
				</span>on-site<span>
				</span>inspection, Respondent<span><span></span>
				</span>hired<span><span></span>
				</span>three<span>
				</span>additional subcontractors to slope the wall to a 1.5 to 1 ratio; to<span><span></span>
				</span>install wire mesh around the large transmission pole; to “shot-crete” the<span>
				</span>wire<span>
				</span>mesh; and to remove dirt from atop<span><span></span>
				</span>the horizontal concrete structures. (Stips. 90, 91). Afterward, Respondent<span>
				</span>contracted with a registered professional engineer<span>
				</span>to issue<span>
				</span>a stamped letter approving<span>
				</span>CVI employees’ return to the<span>
				</span>Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall<span><span></span>
				</span>to complete the required work. (Stip. 92).</p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Discussion</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:6px; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">To prove</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a violation of an OSHA regulation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">must establish<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">by a preponderance of the evidence<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">that:<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(1) the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">cited<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">standard applie</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the work</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">; (2) the employer</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>failed to comply with the requirements</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">e cited<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">standard; (3) employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">were exposed or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">had access to the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hazard covered by the standard;</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and (4) the employer had actual or constructive knowledge of the violati</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ve condition</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">i.e</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the employer knew, or with the exercise of reasonable diligence could have known).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Atlantic Battery Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">16 BNA OSHC 2131</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(No. 90-1747, 1994).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Citation 1, Item 1</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>alleged</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a willful violation of the Act in Citation 1, Item 1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">as follows</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:72px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1926.652(a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(1)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">:<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Each employee in an excavation was not protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with 29 C.F.R. 1926.652(b) or 1926.652(c).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:72px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:72px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">At the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall, 100 West Avenue, Austin, TX, 78701, on or about March 4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 2015 and at times prior thereto, four (4) workers were installing rebar during intermittent rain in an unprotected excavation approximately twelve feet and six inches (12’6”) deep by one hundred and fifty feet (150’) long, exposing the workers to a cave-in hazard.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:72px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The cited standard provides:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:72px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Each employee in an excavation shall be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of this section except when:</span><span style="font-size:9.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:9.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:9.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:9.5pt; ">(i)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Excavations are made entirely in stable rock; or</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(ii)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Excavations are less than 5 feet (1.52 m) in depth and examination of the ground by a competent person provides no indication of a potential cave-in.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1926.652(a)(1). </span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span><span style="color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">The partie</span><span style="color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">s<span>
					</span></span><span style="color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">stipulated to the<span>
					</span></span><span style="color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">facts<span>
					</span></span><span style="color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">necessary<span>
					</span></span><span style="color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">to establish all of the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">prima facie</span><span style="color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>elements of the</span><span style="color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>violation. </span>The requirements of<span>
				</span>the cited regulation,<span>
				</span>29 C.F.R. 1926.652(a)(1), applied<span><span></span>
				</span>to the work being performed by CVI employees at the<span>
				</span>Seaholm Substation<span>
				</span>East Screen<span>
				</span>Wall excavation site on March 4, 2015.<span>
				</span>(Stip. 111). The excavation at the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall where CVI employees were working<span>
				</span>was not protected from the potential hazard of employees being caught in, or under, a cave-in by an<span>
				</span>adequate protective system pursuant to<span><span></span>
				</span>29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1). (Stip. 112). The exposed wall consisted of Type C soil, was greater than<span>
				</span>34 degrees (1.5 to 1 slope ratio),<span><span></span>
				</span>and did not include a protective system that met the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.652(c).<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>(Stips.<span>
				</span>82, 83,<span>
				</span>112; Exs. 5, 6). The jobsite had been non-compliant for<span>
				</span>at least a few days prior to CSHO<span>
				</span>Halter’s arrival<span><span></span>
				</span>on March 4, 2015.<span>
				</span>(Stip. 84). Respondent<span>
				</span>also<span>
				</span>knew that on March 4, 2015, the CVI employees were performing work on the<span>
				</span>Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall, including installation of rebar in areas<span>
				</span>next to<span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>unprotected,<span><span></span>
				</span>twelve-foot high,<span>
				</span>vertical<span>
				</span>soil<span>
				</span>wall.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stips.<span>
				</span>77, 86, 87, 101). The<span>
				</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">prima facie</span><span><span></span>
				</span>elements of the violation alleged in Citation 1, Item 1 are established.<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>Therefore,<span>
				</span>as stated above,<span>
				</span>the sole remaining issue is whether Respondent, as the General Contractor for the library project, can be held liable<span>
				</span>for the violation<span>
				</span>as a<span>
				</span>“controlling employer.”<span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>Complainant argues, based upon the parties’ stipulated facts and Commission case law,<span>
				</span>that<span>
				</span>Respondent was properly cited for the violation<span>
				</span>as a “controlling employer”<span>
				</span>under OSHA’s<span><span></span>
				</span>Multi-Employer Citation Policy.<span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 129; Ex. 9).  Respondent argues, based upon the parties’ stipulated facts and 5<span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span><span></span>
				</span>Circuit case law,<span>
				</span>that<span>
				</span>OSHA’s “controlling employer” policy<span>
				</span>has been invalidated and is<span>
				</span>unenforceable. (Stip. 123). The parties have<span>
				</span>agreed, however, that should Citation 1, Item 1<span><span></span>
				</span>be affirmed in this case, it should be reclassified to an other-than-serious violation with a revised penalty amount of $12,471.00. (Stip. 127). </p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:6px; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The Commission has held that “[A]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">n employer who either creates or controls the cited hazard has a duty under § 5(a)(2) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 666(a)(2), to protect not only its own employees</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, but those of other employers ‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">eng</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">aged in the common undertaking.’” </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">McDevitt Street Bovis</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 19 BNA OSHC 1108 (97-1918, 2000) (quoting</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Anning-Johnson</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 4 BNA OSHC 1193, 1199<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(No. 3694, 1976)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">). “A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">n employer may be held responsible for the violations of other employers ‘where it could reasonably be expected to prevent or detect and abate the violations due to its supervisory authority and control over the worksite.”’</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Summit Contractors,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 23 BNA OSHC 1196 (No. 05-0839, 2010) (quoting<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">McDevitt</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at 1109).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>The parties agree that a<span><span></span>
				</span>controlling employer is one who has general supervisory authority over the worksite, including the power to correct safety and health violations itself, or to require that others correct them.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 116). A general contractor normally has responsibility to assure that other worksite contractors fulfill their obligations with respect to employee safety matters that affect the entire construction site.<span>
				</span>(Stip. 118). A general construction contractor is normally well-situated to obtain abatement of safety hazards, either through its own resources or through its supervisory role with respect to work performed by subcontractors.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 119).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that a general contractor will take reasonable action to assure compliance by subcontractors with required safety standards insofar as all employees on a construction site are affected.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 120).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="margin-left:48px; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span> In this case,<span>
				</span>Respondent<span><span></span>
				</span>had overall construction management<span>
				</span>authority on<span><span></span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>library<span>
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>project.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stip. 28). By virtue of its contract with the City of Austin,<span><span></span>
				</span>and as<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>jobsite general contractor, Respondent<span><span></span>
				</span>had authority through its officials and agents to<span>
				</span>stop construction work<span>
				</span>performed by subcontractors<span>
				</span>such as HEW and CVI when<span><span></span>
				</span>hazardous conditions were found, and to prevent<span><span></span>
				</span>them from continuing work due to safety concerns.<span>
				</span>(Stips. 94, 113). Respondent’s onsite safety managers had actually exercised control over jobsite safety at the library project by stopping subcontractor work<span>
				</span>previously,<span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>by<span>
				</span>removing subcontractor employees from this jobsite. (Stips. 99, 100). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>It is<span>
				</span>undisputed<span>
				</span>that Respondent’s Project Superintendent,<span>
				</span>Respondent’s<span>
				</span>Area Superintendent,<span><span></span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>Respondent’s<span>
				</span>Safety Manager each walked<span>
				</span>portions of the library project<span><span></span>
				</span>on a daily basis, which occasionally included the<span><span></span>
				</span>Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall. (Stips. 85, 93, 95-98). Respondent’s Area Superintendent Lawrence Harding and<span>
				</span>Respondent’s Project<span>
				</span>Superintendent Jay Herzing were actually<span>
				</span>present when CVI employees were performing<span>
				</span>work<span><span></span>
				</span>in the unprotected area of the excavation.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stips. 24, 26, 76, 77, 81; Exs. 5, 6, 7). It is further undisputed that Respondent knew that<span>
				</span>on March 4, 2015,<span>
				</span>the work area at the Seaholm Substation East Screen Wall was not properly protected from cave-ins.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Stips. 77, 86, 87, 101, 114). Despite knowledge of CVI employees working in violative conditions, Respondent failed to<span><span></span>
				</span>adequately enforce CVI’s compliance with safety and health requirements. (Stip. 115).<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyTextIndent style_BodyTextIndent " style="text-indent:1.27cm; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;"></span>The stipulated record clearly establishes that Respondent had sufficient control and authority over this jobsite, including subcontractor CVI and its employees, to<span>
				</span>reasonably be expected to<span>
				</span>prevent and/or correct the violation in this case. Respondent’s management employees present at the excavation could have easily prevented the CVI employees from working in the unprotected area along the vertical wall, and/or ordered them to come out of the unprotected area<span><span></span>
				</span>once Respondent’s management employees observed them. Respondent did neither. Accordingly, Citation 1, Item 1 would be affirmed under applicable Commission case law. <span><span></span>
				</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Summit Contractors, Inc.</span>;<span>
				</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">McDevitt Street Bovis</span>;<span>
				</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Anning-Johnson</span>,<span>
				</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">supra</span>.</p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>However, this</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>violation occurred at a jobsite in Austin, Texas, which is in the geographical jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Circuit. In 1981, the Fifth Circuit<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">clearly<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ruled that the OSH Act</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and regulations implemented thereunder</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>serve to protect an employer’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">own</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employees from workplace hazards. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Melerine v. Avondale Shipyards, Inc</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">., 659 F.2d 706 (5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Cir. 1981). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">I</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">n<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">a case involving a subcontractor employee’s negligen</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ce action against<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">higher level contractor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the Court<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">unambiguously<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">stated, “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">OSHA regulations protect only an employer’s own employees.” </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at 711</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> On that basis, the Court concluded that the referenced OSHA regulations did not create or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">define any duty on behalf of a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>higher level contractor to the employee</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>subcontractor. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at 712-13. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The 5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Circuit<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">expressly<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">adopted<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the rational</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">e of a former Commission Chairman who wrote [</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">in pertinent part</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">] that status<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">as an employer under the Act “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">does not necessarily mean that the [R]espondent is in violation of 29 U.S.C. §654(a)(2) for every failure to comply with a safety standard which occurs within its worksite. For example, an employer cannot be held in violation of that subsection if his employees are not affected by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">noncompliance with a standard....”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at 711.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“In this circuit, therefore, the class protected by OSHA regulations comprises only employers’ own employees.” </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">at 712.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See also</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Southeast Contractors v. Dunlop</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 512 F.2d 675</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Cir. 1975) [A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>contrac</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">tor is not responsible for the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">OSHA<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">violative</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>acts of his subcontractors or their employ</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ees].</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“Where it is highly probable that a Commission decision would be appealed to a particular circuit, the Commission has generally applied the precedent of that circuit in deciding the case – even though it may differ from the Commission’s precedent.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Kerns Bros. Tree Service</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 18 BNA OSHC 2064 (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">No. 96-1719,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">2000). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">nd, a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">articulated by Respondent, “a holding by a court of appeals on a legal question is binding<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">on the Review Commission in all cases arising within that circuit until and unless the court of appeals or the Supreme Court overturns that holding...”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Smith Steel Casting v. Donovan</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 725 F.2d 1032, 1035 (5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Cir. 1984).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">I</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">n this case, i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">t is undisputed that the employees working in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the unprotected excavation,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">expo</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sed to the hazardous condition,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">wer</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">e not employed by Respondent. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">They were employed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">by</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>subcontractor CVI. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In addition, there is no<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">evidence in the record that any of Respondent’s own employees were exposed to the hazardous condition. Accordingly, applying</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Circuit precedent, Respondent cannot be liable for a violation of the Act based<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">solely upon a subcontractor’s employees’</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exposure to the condition. Accordingly, Citation 1, Item 1 must be vacated.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">ORDER</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of Law, it is ORDERED that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Citation 1, Item</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1 is VACATED.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:6.667px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:.635cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">SO ORDERED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:14pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">/s/</span><span style="font-size:26pt; font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode; font-size:26pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">
					</span><span style="font-size:26pt; font-family:Brush Script MT; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Brush Script MT; font-size:26pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">Brian A. Duncan</span><span style="font-size:26pt; font-family:Lucida Handwriting; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Lucida Handwriting; font-size:26pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Judge Brian A. Duncan</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Date:</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">April 28, 2017</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Denver, Colorado</span></p>
			</div>
			<hr/>"
      <div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn-1" href="#ftnref-1"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn0" href="#ftnref0"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_EndnoteText style_EndnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">1 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>The Court notes that the parties’ stipulations spell one of the exposed employees name differently at times. Stipulation No. 10 identifies one of<span>
					</span>the exposed employees as “Natividad Olivarez-Vasquez,” while Stipulation No. 79 identifies, presumably the same person, as “Olivarel Nativadad.”</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText "> </p>
			</div></div></body>
</html>