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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:center; ">United States of America</p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISS</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">I</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">O</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">N</span></p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal ">SECRETARY OF LABOR,<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
							</p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal ">
								<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Complainant,<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
							</p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal ">
								<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
								<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>v.<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
							</p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal ">A-1 SEWER AND WATER CONTRACTORS, INC.,<span><span></span>
								</span></p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal ">
								<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Respondent.<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "><span><span></span>
								</span></p>
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						<div>
							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> OSHRC Docket No.:<span>
								</span>21-0562</p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal ">
							</p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">For Complainant:<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">A</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">rsalan Nayani, Esq.</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">, Office of the Solicitor, 230 South Dearborn Street, Ch</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">icago, IL</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "></span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; "><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "></span> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:-2.54cm; "><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">Fo</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">r Respondent: Anthony M.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">C</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">iccon</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">e</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Pro Se</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><a name="ftnref0" href="#ftn0">1</a></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">, A-1 Sewer a</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">nd Water Contractors, Esq. 903 North Ridge Av</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">e.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">Arlington Heights, IL</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "></span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "></span> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">Befor</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">e: First Judge Patrick B.</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">Augustin</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">e</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">, United States Administrative Law Judge</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "></span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_Heading1 style_Heading1 "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-weight:bold; ">DECISION AND<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-weight:bold; ">ORDER</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">I.</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Respondent was engaged in trenching and excavation work at the time of the inspection<span><span></span>
					</span>commenced<span>
					</span>on<span>
					</span>April 30,<span>
					</span>2021,<span><span></span>
					</span>at Respondent’s worksite located at<span><span></span>
					</span>1105 W. Busse Ave.,<span>
					</span>Mount Prospect, Illinois<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref1" href="#ftn1">2</a></span>.<span><span></span>
					</span>As a result of<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>inspection, the Occupational Safety Health Administration<span><span></span>
					</span>(OSHA)<span><span></span>
					</span>issued<span>
					</span>Respondent a<span>
					</span>Citation<span><span></span>
					</span>and Notification of Penalty<span>
					</span>containing<span>
					</span>one item<span><span></span>
					</span>classified as a serious citation<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref2" href="#ftn2">3</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span>and proposed a penalty of $1985.00<span><span></span>
					</span>(Citation).<span>
					</span>Ex. C-1.<span>
					</span>Respondent<span><span></span>
					</span>timely contested the Citation<span><span></span>
					</span>by filing a<span>
					</span>Notice of Contest.<span>
					</span>This case<span><span></span>
					</span>was designated as<span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>simplified<span><span></span>
					</span>proceedings<span>
					</span>case.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Commission has adopted<span>
					</span>Rules for<span>
					</span>Simplified Proceedings, which apply in<span>
					</span>this<span>
					</span>case.<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span>Subpart M of 29 C.F.R. Part 2200 (29 C.F.R. §§ 2200.200 - 2200.211).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The trial was held under the Simplified Proceedings<span><span></span>
					</span>rules, where the “Judge<span><span></span>
					</span>will receive oral, physical, or documentary evidence that is not irrelevant, unduly repetitious or unreliable. Testimony will be given under oath or affirmation.”<span>
					</span>29 C.F.R. § 2200.209(c). Since the Federal Rules of Evidence<span>
					</span>did<span><span></span>
					</span>not apply in<span>
					</span>this simplified<span>
					</span>proceeding<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref3" href="#ftn3">4</a></span>,<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see id</span>., hearsay is admissible, “[p]rovided it is relevant and material,” and under certain circumstances, “can constitute substantial evidence.”<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Bobo v. United States Dept. of Agriculture</span>, 52 F.3d 1406, 1414 (6th Cir.1995) (citation omitted).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>A trial was held<span>
					</span>on July 25,<span>
					</span>2022,<span><span></span>
					</span>in Chicago. IL.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The Parties could not agree on any<span>
					</span>stipulated facts.<span>
					</span>Tr. 18.<span><span></span>
					</span>Complainant filed a<span>
					</span>post-trial<span><span></span>
					</span>brief. Respondent elected not to<span>
					</span>file a<span><span></span>
					</span>post-trial<span><span></span>
					</span>brief.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">Pursuant</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">to</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">Commission</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">Rule</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">90,</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">after</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">hearing</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">nd</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">care</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">f</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">ully</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">considering</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">all</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">the evidence</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">and arguments of counsel, the Court issues this Decision and Order as its Finding of Facts and Conclusio</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">ns</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">of</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">Law.</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">In t</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">his very straight forward<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">case</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Citation is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">VACATE</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">D</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">failure of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">Complainant to carry his</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>burden</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:11.5pt; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">I</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">I. </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">JURI</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">SDICTION </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The record supports<span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent is engaged in a business affecting interstate commerce and is an “employer” within the meaning of<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>§<span>
					</span>3 of the<span>
					</span>Occupational Safety and Health<span>
					</span>Act, 29 U.S.C<span>
					</span>§ 651<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">et seq</span>.<span>
					</span>The use of the term<span><span></span>
					</span>“affecting commerce” indicates a congressional intent to “exercise fully its<span><span></span>
					</span>constitutional authority under the commerce clause.”<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Godwin v. OSHRC</span>, 540 F.2d 1013 (9th Cir. 1976);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">U.S. v. Dye</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Construction Co</span>., 510 F.2d 78 (10th Cir. 1975);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Brennan v. OSHRC</span>,<span><span></span>
					</span>492 F.2d<span>
					</span>1027 (2nd Cir. 1974);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see also</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Piping of Ohio, Inc</span>., 16 BNA OSHC 1236 (No.<span>
					</span>91-3481, 1993). Commerce, according to § 3(3) of the Act, “means trade, traffic, commerce, transportation, or communication among the several States, or<span><span></span>
					</span>between a State and<span>
					</span>any place outside thereof....” Following the Ninth Circuit in<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Usery v. Fran</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">klin R.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Lacy,</span><span><span></span>
					</span>628 F.2d 1226<span>
					</span>the Commission has found interstate<span>
					</span>commerce where<span><span></span>
					</span>it “is in a class of activity that as a whole affects commerce.”<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Clarence M. Jone</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">s d/b/a Jones Co</span>., 11<span><span></span>
					</span>BNA OSHC 1529, 1530 (No. 77-3676,<span><span></span>
					</span>1983). In that case, the Commission went<span><span></span>
					</span>on to find “[t]here is an interstate market<span><span></span>
					</span>in construction materials and services and therefore construction work affects interstate commerce.”<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Id</span>., citing<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">NL</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">RB v. Int’l Union of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Operatin</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">g E</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">ngineers, Local 571,</span><span><span></span>
					</span>317 F.2d 638, 643 n. 5 (8th Cir. 1963) (judicial notice taken that construction industry affects interstate commerce).<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Excavation work<span><span></span>
					</span>qualifies as “construction work” which is defined as “work for construction, alteration,<span><span></span>
					</span>and/or<span>
					</span>repair, including painting and decorating.” 29 C.F.R. § 1926.32(g).<span><span></span>
					</span>The construction industry<span>
					</span>of which excavation work is part of<span>
					</span>affects commerce, and even small employers within that industry are engaged in commerce.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Slingluf</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">f v. OS</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">HRC</span>, 425 F.3d<span>
					</span>861, 866-67<span><span></span>
					</span>(10th Cir. 2005);,<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">d/b/a C. Jones Clarence M.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Jones Co</span>., 11 BNA<span><span></span>
					</span>OSHC 1529, 1531 (No. 77-3676, 1983).<span><span></span>
					</span>Because Respondent is engaged in construction work, the undersigned finds it is engaged in a business affecting interstate<span><span></span>
					</span>commerce.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr.<span><span></span>
					</span>48, 218.<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
				</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">As to whether Respondent was an<span>
					</span>“employer”<span><span></span>
					</span>under the Act,<span>
					</span>Respondent<span><span></span>
					</span>testified<span>
					</span>Ramirez was<span>
					</span>its<span><span></span>
					</span>employee.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr.<span>
					</span>47, 74-75, 221.<span>
					</span>The<span>
					</span>Court finds<span>
					</span>Respondent was an<span>
					</span>“employer”<span><span></span>
					</span>under the Act.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Finally, the Commission has jurisdiction over this<span><span></span>
					</span>proceeding pursuant to<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>§<span><span></span>
					</span>10(c) of the Act<span><span></span>
					</span>by Respondent filing its Notice<span><span></span>
					</span>of Contest.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Joel Yandell</span>, 18 BNA OSHC 1623,<span>
					</span>1628 n.8 (No. 94-3080, 1999).<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See also</span><span><span></span>
					</span>29 U.S.C.<span><span></span>
					</span>§ 659(c).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>III. T</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">HE<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">INSPECTION</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">On the date of the inspection, Respondent was in the process of installing a water line system for a<span>
					</span>basement<span>
					</span>which<span><span></span>
					</span>was being<span>
					</span>constructed<span><span></span>
					</span>at<span>
					</span>an existing<span>
					</span>residential building<span><span></span>
					</span>built in the 1990s.<span>
					</span>Tr.<span><span></span>
					</span>44,<span><span></span>
					</span>219-220.<span>
					</span>There were two workers present at the worksite, Company<span>
					</span>owner<span><span></span>
					</span>Anthony Ciccone<span><span></span>
					</span>(Ciccone)<span><span></span>
					</span>and an employee by the<span>
					</span>name<span>
					</span>of Pablo<span><span></span>
					</span>Ramirez (Ramirez).<span>
					</span>Tr. 47, 74, 75, 221.<span><span></span>
					</span>Ciccone<span>
					</span>testified<span>
					</span>he<span>
					</span>was the<span>
					</span>competent person<span><span></span>
					</span>on the<span>
					</span>worksite,<span><span></span>
					</span>and he was the owner of<span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr.<span>
					</span>48-49, 70-71, 212, 218, 222.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">During<span>
					</span>the inspection,<span><span></span>
					</span>Compliance and Safety<span>
					</span>Officer Emil<span><span></span>
					</span>Szotko<span><span></span>
					</span>(CSHO) observed two trenches<span><span></span>
					</span>at the worksite.<span>
					</span>One trench (Trench 1) ran from the<span>
					</span>sidewalk<span><span></span>
					</span>to the front wall of the house<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span><span></span>
					</span>second trench (Trench<span>
					</span>2) went from the street to the sidewalk.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr. 46, 48, 219.<span>
					</span>The CSHO<span>
					</span>inspected<span><span></span>
					</span>both trenches.<span>
					</span>The Citation issued is based on the CSHOs inspection of Trench 1.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr.<span><span></span>
					</span>44.<span><span></span>
					</span>Therefore, any discussion during the trial as to Trench<span><span></span>
					</span>2 is not<span>
					</span>relevant<span><span></span>
					</span>to the<span><span></span>
					</span>issue in this case.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span>
					</span>Citation<span><span></span>
					</span>involves Trench 1<span><span></span>
					</span>because the CSHO witnessed Ramirez working inside of it.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr. 45-47.<span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent was engaged in the installation of a water line<span>
					</span>in Trench 1.<span>
					</span>Tr. 220, 232-233.<span>
					</span>Ramirez was operating a<span>
					</span>vertical mounted drill against the building’s foundation inside Trench 1.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr. 60.<span>
					</span>The travel area in the excavation where Ramirez was working was<span>
					</span>between<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>access<span>
					</span>ladder and the vertical mounted<span><span></span>
					</span>drill<span><span></span>
					</span>located<span><span></span>
					</span>near the building’s foundation<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref4" href="#ftn4">5</a></span>.<span>
					</span>Tr. 59, 61, 92-93, Ex. C<span><span></span>
					</span>6-9.<span>
					</span>Ciccone<span><span></span>
					</span>was standing at<span><span></span>
					</span>ground level of<span><span></span>
					</span>the edge of Trench 1 and had verbal and visual<span>
					</span>contact with Ramirez.<span>
					</span>Ciccone<span>
					</span>testified<span>
					</span>he was<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>supervisor of Ramirez.<span>
					</span>Tr. 44-46, 74-75.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Using<span><span></span>
					</span>an engineering rod<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref5" href="#ftn5">6</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>measuring tape, the CSHO<span>
					</span>measured Trench<span>
					</span>1<span>
					</span>as being<span>
					</span>4-feet wide, 20-feet long with a depth of<span>
					</span>approximately<span>
					</span>five<span><span></span>
					</span>feet and<span>
					</span>six<span><span></span>
					</span>inches.<span><span></span>
					</span>The<span>
					</span>CSHO testified the<span>
					</span>soil<span><span></span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>the working area<span><span></span>
					</span>was previously disturbed during<span><span></span>
					</span>the construction of the<span>
					</span>residence.<span>
					</span>Tr. 48-50, 55, 65, 204.<span>
					</span>Due to this disturbance, the CSHO classified<span>
					</span>the soil<span><span></span>
					</span>as Type B.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr. 61-62, 168. The CSHO<span>
					</span>testified: (i) the walls of<span><span></span>
					</span>Trench 1 were vertical with no<span><span></span>
					</span>sloping or bench<span>
					</span>systems; and (ii) there was no shoring or shielding protective<span><span></span>
					</span>systems installed inside Trench<span>
					</span>1.<span>
					</span>Tr. 58-59, 71,<span><span></span>
					</span>206 and Ex. C-2.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">IV.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">APPLICAB</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">LE<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">CASE LAW<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:10.667px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">For most standards, including the one</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at issue here,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is n</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ot required to prove</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the exi</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">stence of a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hazard each time a standard is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">enforced.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref6" href="#ftn6">7</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Bunge Corp. v. Sec’y of Labor</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 638 F.2d 831, 834 (5th Cir. 1981);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Greyh</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">ound Lines-We</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">st v. M</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">arshall</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 57</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">5 F.2d 759, 762 (9th Cir. 1978) (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not required to prove</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>viol</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ation related to wal</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">king and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>working su</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rfaces constituted a hazard). I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nstead, the hazard is presumed, and the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Compla</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">inant</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>burden is limited to showing:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(1) the cited st</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ard applies; (2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">) the employer failed to comply with the terms of the cited st</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">andar</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d; (3) employees had</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>access<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to the viol</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ative condition; and (4) the cit</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed employer knew or could have known with the exercise of reasonable diligence of t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he violative cond</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">iti</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on. </span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">JPC Grp.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Inc</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">., 22 BNA OSHC 1859, 1861 (No. 05-1907, 2009);</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Atl. Battery Co.,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>16<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">BNA OSHC 2131 (N</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o. 90-17</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">47, 1994).</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref7" href="#ftn7">8</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:10.667px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Complainant must establish his case by<span><span></span>
					</span>preponderance of the evidence.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See Hartford Roofing Co.</span>, 17 BNA OSHC 1361 (No. 92-3855, 1995).<span>
					</span>“Preponderance of the evidence” has been defined as:<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; ">The greater weight of the evidence, not necessarily<span>
					</span>established by the greater number of witnesses testifying to a<span>
					</span>fact but by evidence that has the most convincing force; superior evidentiary weight that, though<span><span></span>
					</span>not sufficient to free the mind wholly from<span><span></span>
					</span>all reasonable doubt, is still<span>
					</span>sufficient to incline a<span>
					</span>fair and impartial mind to one side of the issue<span><span></span>
					</span>rather than the other.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Preponderance of the Evidence</span>,<span>
					</span>B<span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">LACK’</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">S</span><span><span></span>
					</span>L<span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">AW</span><span><span></span>
					</span>D<span style="font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">ICTIONARY</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(10th ed. 2014).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:0; orphans:0; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">V. </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">C</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">ITATION</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1, I</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">TEM<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">1</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:0; orphans:0; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The cited regulation,<span><span></span>
					</span>as<span>
					</span>written<span><span></span>
					</span>and issued by Complainant,<span><span></span>
					</span>states:</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:54px; margin-right:84px; widows:0; orphans:0; ">29 CFR<span>
					</span>1926.652(a)(1): Each employee in an excavation was not protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.652(b) or 1926.652(c).<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:54px; margin-right:84px; widows:0; orphans:0; "> </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; text-align:justify; margin-left:54px; text-indent:0cm; margin-right:84px; widows:0; orphans:0; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">a)</span>On April 30, 2021, an employee was not protected from the hazard of cave-in while working in a trench measuring<span>
				</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">approximately<span>
					</span></span>5.6 feet in depth.<span><span></span>
				</span>(Emphasis added.)<span><span></span>
				</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:0; orphans:0; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:0; orphans:0; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>However, the complete regulation, which was not set forth in the Citation,<span><span></span>
					</span>states as follows:<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
				</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:54px; margin-right:84px; widows:0; orphans:0; ">Each<span><span></span>
					</span>employee in an excavation shall be protected from cave-ins by an adequate<span>
					</span>protective system designed in accordance with<span>
					</span>paragraph<span><span></span>
					</span>(b)<span>
					</span>or (c) of this section<span>
					</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">except when</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">: (i) Excavations are made in entirely stable rock</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">(ii)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">E</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">xc</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">avations are less t</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">han 5 f</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">eet</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(1.52 m) in de</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">pth</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and examination of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">g</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">r</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">ound</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by a comp</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">eten</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">t person</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>provides no i</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">ndication of a potential cave-in.</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Emphasis added).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:54px; margin-right:84px; widows:0; orphans:0; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:0; orphans:0; ">29 C.F.R.<span>
					</span>§<span>
					</span>1926.652(a)(1).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:0; orphans:0; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:0; orphans:0; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">VI. APPLICATION O</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">F THE REGULATION</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; margin-left:102px; widows:0; orphans:0; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Under Commission precedent, “the focus of the Secretary's burden of proving that the cited standard applies pertains to<span>
					</span>the cited conditions, not the particular cited employer.”<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Ryder</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Transp. Servs.</span>, 24 BNA OSHC 2061, 2064 (No. 10-0551, 2014)<span><span></span>
					</span>(concluding “that the Secretary has failed to establish that<span>
					</span>the cited general industry<span>
					</span>standard applies<span>
					</span>to<span><span></span>
					</span>the working conditions here”);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">KS Energy<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Servs., Inc.,</span><span><span></span>
					</span>22 BNA OSHC 1261, 1267 (No. 06-1416, 2008)<span><span></span>
					</span>(finding “the cited ... provision was applicable to the conditions in KS<span>
					</span>Energy's traffic control zone”),<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">aff'd</span>, 701 F.3d 367 (7th Cir. 2012);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Active Oil S</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">er</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">v., Inc.,</span><span><span></span>
					</span>21 BNA OSHC 1092, 1094 (No. 00-0482, 2005)<span><span></span>
					</span>(finding “that the confined space standard applies to the cited conditions” because “the vault was a confined space”);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Arcon, Inc.,</span><span><span></span>
					</span>20 BNA OSHC 1760, 1763 (No. 99-1707, 2004)<span><span></span>
					</span>(“In order to establish<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>violation, the Secretary must show that the<span>
					</span>standards applied to the cited conditions.”).<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Respondent’s<span><span></span>
					</span>position<span>
					</span>is<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>standard<span><span></span>
					</span>does<span>
					</span>not apply<span><span></span>
					</span>because<span>
					</span>Complainant<span><span></span>
					</span>failed to<span>
					</span>establish<span><span></span>
					</span>the depth,<span><span></span>
					</span>in the<span>
					</span>working area<span><span></span>
					</span>of Trench 1,<span><span></span>
					</span>was<span><span></span>
					</span>five feet or<span>
					</span>greater<span>
					</span>because of how the measuring rod<span><span></span>
					</span>and ladder were<span><span></span>
					</span>placed within Trench 1<span><span></span>
					</span>when the CSHO took his third measurement<span>
					</span>which<span><span></span>
					</span>was outside<span>
					</span>the working area.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ther</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">efore,<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complaina</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nt must establish<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the depth in the<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wo</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">r</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">king area</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of Tre</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nch</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">must be</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">five feet or<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">greater<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for the<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">regulation</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">appl</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">y.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span>If<span>
					</span>the depth in the working area of<span>
					</span>Trench 1 was<span><span></span>
					</span>less than five<span><span></span>
					</span>feet, for Respondent to prevail<span><span></span>
					</span>through the exception<span><span></span>
					</span>defined in the regulation, it must establish<span><span></span>
					</span>a competent person<span><span></span>
					</span>made a determination<span><span></span>
					</span>there<span><span></span>
					</span>was no<span><span></span>
					</span>cave-in<span><span></span>
					</span>potential.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Manti d</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">/b/a Man</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">ti Himes</span>, 16 BNA OSHC 1458, 1461 (No. 92-2222, 1993). <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See also</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Commission 30(g), 29 C.F.R. §<span>
					</span>2200.30(g).<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "> </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;padding-right:20px;">A.</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Com</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">plainant Failed to Prove<span>
					</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Working Area of<span>
					</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Trench 1 was</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
					</span>Five Feet or Gre</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">a</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">t</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">er</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
					</span>in Depth</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"></span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; "><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span><span></span>
					</span>
					<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Complainant seeks to establish the<span>
					</span>depth within<span><span></span>
					</span>the working area of Trench 1<span>
					</span>was greater than<span>
					</span>five feet through<span>
					</span>the testimony of the CSHO and<span>
					</span>two<span>
					</span>pictures introduced at trial.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Ex.<span>
					</span>C-4,<span><span></span>
					</span>pp. 1-2.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The CSHO testified the depth of<span>
					</span>the working area<span><span></span>
					</span>of<span>
					</span>Trench 1 was<span>
					</span>“approximately”<span><span></span>
					</span>5<span><span></span>
					</span>ft.<span><span></span>
					</span>6<span><span></span>
					</span>inches.” Tr.<span>
					</span>52-55,<span><span></span>
					</span>205. His testimony indicated he measured the depth of<span>
					</span>the working area of<span>
					</span>Trench 1 on the<span>
					</span>side of the<span>
					</span>access<span>
					</span>ladder<span>
					</span>facing the<span>
					</span>sidewalk<span><span></span>
					</span>which<span>
					</span>Mr. Ramirez used to exit<span><span></span>
					</span>Trench 1.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr. 51-562, 54.<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See also</span><span><span></span>
					</span>C-4, pp. 1-2 which indicates the<span>
					</span>measuring<span><span></span>
					</span>rod<span><span></span>
					</span>was<span><span></span>
					</span>on the side of the<span>
					</span>access<span>
					</span>ladder<span><span></span>
					</span>facing the sidewalk which is not in the defined working area.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The CSHO also testified the floor of Trench 1 was level.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Tr. 54, 205.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>While the<span>
					</span>photographs<span><span></span>
					</span>at Ex. C-4, show the<span>
					</span>access<span>
					</span>ladder and the side<span><span></span>
					</span>of the access ladder from which<span>
					</span>the CSHO took the measurements<span>
					</span>from,<span><span></span>
					</span>Ex. C-4 does not show the<span><span></span>
					</span>floor of<span>
					</span>Trench 1 to ascertain if the floor was level.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Complainant<span>
					</span>relies on<span>
					</span>Ex.<span>
					</span>C-4, pp. 1 and 2<span><span></span>
					</span>to establish the<span>
					</span>depth of the working area of Trench 1<span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>five feet<span><span></span>
					</span>or<span>
					</span>greater. The CSHO testified,<span>
					</span>by looking at the<span>
					</span>access<span>
					</span>ladder in<span>
					</span>Trench 1 as depicted in Ex.<span>
					</span>C 4, p.1<span><span></span>
					</span>and counting the<span>
					</span>rungs<span>
					</span>or<span>
					</span>steps of the<span>
					</span>access<span>
					</span>ladder from the bottom of<span>
					</span>Trench 1<span><span></span>
					</span>to the top of<span>
					</span>it,<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>determination<span><span></span>
					</span>of the depth<span>
					</span>can be made<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>the working area<span>
					</span>of<span>
					</span>Trench 1<span>
					</span>was greater<span><span></span>
					</span>than five feet.<span>
					</span>Tr. 53, Ex. C-4, p. 1.<span><span></span>
					</span>The CSHO stated the distance between each<span>
					</span>rung or<span>
					</span>step was one foot. Tr. 50. A<span><span></span>
					</span>measuring rod in<span>
					</span>Trench 1 is also captured<span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>Ex.<span>
					</span>C-4,<span><span></span>
					</span>p. 1.<span>
					</span>There was no testimony as to what<span><span></span>
					</span>the measuring rod showed in this<span>
					</span>specific<span>
					</span>picture; therefore,<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>Court<span>
					</span>cannot<span><span></span>
					</span>conclude<span><span></span>
					</span>by<span><span></span>
					</span>merely looking at the picture<span><span></span>
					</span>what<span>
					</span>depth the measuring rod depicts.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span>
					</span>Complainant<span>
					</span>also<span>
					</span>presented evidence<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>measuring<span><span></span>
					</span>rod in<span>
					</span>Ex. C-4, p. 2<span><span></span>
					</span>shows the depth of<span><span></span>
					</span>Trench 1<span><span></span>
					</span>is greater than<span><span></span>
					</span>five feet.<span>
					</span>At first glance<span><span></span>
					</span>merely<span>
					</span>looking at Ex. C-4, p.<span><span></span>
					</span>2,<span><span></span>
					</span>an individual could<span>
					</span>conclude that without other factors weighing<span>
					</span>into the<span>
					</span>determination, the depth of Trench 1 was greater than five feet.<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Respondent<span>
					</span>disputed the conclusion of the CSHO that the depth of the working area<span>
					</span>in Trench<span>
					</span>1<span>
					</span>was greater than five feet<span><span></span>
					</span>based<span><span></span>
					</span>on: (i) the<span>
					</span>measurement taken by the CSHO was not within the<span>
					</span>working<span><span></span>
					</span>area of Trench 1; and (ii)<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>access<span>
					</span>ladder, in both pictures, were leaning at an<span>
					</span>angle and<span><span></span>
					</span>was not<span><span></span>
					</span>vertical against the<span>
					</span>excavation<span><span></span>
					</span>wall.<span>
					</span>Tr. 228.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Mr. Ciccone<span>
					</span>testified<span><span></span>
					</span>the correct way to<span><span></span>
					</span>measure the depth of the<span><span></span>
					</span>working area<span><span></span>
					</span>of Trench 1<span>
					</span>would<span>
					</span>be<span>
					</span>to place<span>
					</span>the measuring rod and the ladder<span><span></span>
					</span>in a<span><span></span>
					</span>position where<span>
					</span>it was<span><span></span>
					</span>vertical against the<span>
					</span>excavation<span><span></span>
					</span>wall.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr. 228-229.<span>
					</span> Mr. Ciccone’s testimony that the ladder<span><span></span>
					</span>which was used as the basis for measurement of the depth of Trench 1,<span><span></span>
					</span>contradicts<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>CSHO’s testimony that the ladder, when the measurements were taken, was<span>
					</span>vertical<span><span></span>
					</span>or straight against<span><span></span>
					</span>the trench wall. Tr. 53-54, 91, 208. The Court assigns<span>
					</span>greater<span><span></span>
					</span>weight<span><span></span>
					</span>on this issue to the position of Respondent.<span><span></span>
					</span>First, looking at<span>
					</span>both<span><span></span>
					</span>pictures in C-4,<span><span></span>
					</span>the ladder is at an angle. It is not straight and vertical as testified to<span><span></span>
					</span>by the CSHO. Second, the CSHO<span><span></span>
					</span>contradicted his own testimony on this issue when he responded to<span><span></span>
					</span>questions<span>
					</span>regarding<span><span></span>
					</span>Ex. C-6,<span>
					</span>Complainant asked the CSHO whether the ladder shown<span>
					</span>in Ex. C-6 was the same ladder that appears in Ex.<span><span></span>
					</span>C-4, pp, 1,<span>
					</span>2. The CSHO<span>
					</span>responded that it was and stated<span>
					</span>“the access ladder was leaning against the right side of the trench wall.”<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr. 60-61, Ex. C-6. Third,<span>
					</span>the CSHO testified<span><span></span>
					</span>the ladder was in a manner<span>
					</span>in which Ramirez was able to freely<span>
					</span>use the ladder to<span>
					</span>access<span><span></span>
					</span>as<span><span></span>
					</span>well as exit<span>
					</span>Trench 1. Tr.<span>
					</span>47-48, 60, 74,<span><span></span>
					</span>204-205.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>If the ladder was straight and vertical against the trench wall<span>
					</span>it would have<span>
					</span>been difficult, according to<span>
					</span>common sense and the laws of physics, for<span>
					</span>Ramirez<span><span></span>
					</span>to easily access or exit<span>
					</span>Trench. There was no testimony the<span><span></span>
					</span>ladder was secured<span><span></span>
					</span>or<span><span></span>
					</span>anchored<span><span></span>
					</span>at<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>top<span><span></span>
					</span>of the ladder to prevent the ladder from falling backwards if an individual was exiting the trench by climbing up a straight and vertical<span><span></span>
					</span>ladder.<span>
					</span>So logic would conclude for<span>
					</span>Ramirez<span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>easily access or exit<span><span></span>
					</span>Trench 1, the access ladder would have had<span>
					</span>to been<span><span></span>
					</span>tilted<span><span></span>
					</span>against the right side of the excavation wall as<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>CSHO<span><span></span>
					</span>testified<span><span></span>
					</span>when questioned regarding Ex. C-6.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The CSHO also testified he<span>
					</span>did not move or touch the access ladder before, during or after taking his measurements. Tr. 52.<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Respondent<span><span></span>
					</span>also testified the<span><span></span>
					</span>CSHO measured two additional places<span>
					</span>in the<span>
					</span>“working area”<span><span></span>
					</span>and those measurements<span>
					</span>indicated<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>depth of<span>
					</span>Trench 1<span>
					</span>were<span><span></span>
					</span>not over<span>
					</span>five feet.<span>
					</span>Tr. 226-227.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">In addition,<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>third<span>
					</span>measurement<span><span></span>
					</span>which supports the issuance of the Citation,<span><span></span>
					</span>was taken in an area which<span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent argues was not within the defined working area. The<span>
					</span>area the<span>
					</span>measurement<span><span></span>
					</span>was taken from is depicted in Ex. C-4,<span><span></span>
					</span>p.1<span><span></span>
					</span>and confirmed by the CSHO. It shows that measuring rod on the side of the access ladder which faces<span><span></span>
					</span>the sidewalk<span><span></span>
					</span>–<span><span></span>
					</span>not<span>
					</span>the residence. Respondent argues:<span><span></span>
					</span>(i)<span>
					</span>this<span><span></span>
					</span>area<span>
					</span>is not within the working<span><span></span>
					</span>area Ramirez traveled while in Trench 1; and<span>
					</span>(ii)<span><span></span>
					</span>Ramirez would not have<span>
					</span>had to go as far as where the measuring rod is<span>
					</span>to<span><span></span>
					</span>exit<span><span></span>
					</span>Trench 1. The CSHO testified he<span>
					</span>chose<span>
					</span>this area of<span><span></span>
					</span>Trench 1 because he observed that<span>
					</span>was exactly<span>
					</span>where Ramirez<span>
					</span>stepped<span><span></span>
					</span>onto the ladder to exit<span><span></span>
					</span>and because the depth of the trench at that location was<span>
					</span>“a bit deeper.”<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr.<span><span></span>
					</span>52.<span>
					</span>The Court<span><span></span>
					</span>is left with the question how the CSHO knew that area<span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>the exact spot stepped at<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>by<span>
					</span>Ramirez<span><span></span>
					</span>and the<span>
					</span>bottom of<span>
					</span>trench was a<span>
					</span>“bit deeper”<span><span></span>
					</span>when<span><span></span>
					</span>he previously testified<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>bottom<span>
					</span>of the trench was<span>
					</span>even and<span><span></span>
					</span>it did not have<span><span></span>
					</span>any change in elevation. Tr. 54.<span>
					</span>In addition, the observations of the CSHO would have<span>
					</span>had to<span><span></span>
					</span>been observed while he was standing at surface level since he testified he<span><span></span>
					</span>never entered Trench 1. Tr. 48-51.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>
				</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Respondent’s argument<span>
					</span>regarding<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>effect the<span>
					</span>angle<span>
					</span>or tilt<span>
					</span>of the ladder and the measuring<span>
					</span>rod<span><span></span>
					</span>in Trench 1<span>
					</span>would have on<span>
					</span>the measurement<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>was taken, is simple to<span>
					</span>understand<span><span></span>
					</span>in layman’s term.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>What Mr. Ciccone was<span><span></span>
					</span>stating,<span><span></span>
					</span>in<span><span></span>
					</span>layman’s terms,<span><span></span>
					</span>is nothing other than a<span>
					</span>well-recognized<span><span></span>
					</span>geometry<span>
					</span>principle documented by<span>
					</span>reliable<span>
					</span>publications.<span><span></span>
					</span>And that principle is<span>
					</span>“the longest side of a<span><span></span>
					</span>right triangle is the hypotenuse”<span><span></span>
					</span>using<span><span></span>
					</span>the Pythagorean<span><span></span>
					</span>theories.<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref8" href="#ftn8">9</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The Court takes judicial notice<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref9" href="#ftn9">10</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span>of this<span>
					</span>well-known<span><span></span>
					</span>and established<span>
					</span>geometry<span>
					</span>principle which Mr. Ciccone was trying to relay in<span>
					</span>his testimony.<span>
					</span>The Court finds<span><span></span>
					</span>the measurement and<span>
					</span>counting of<span>
					</span>ladder steps on which<span>
					</span>Complainant<span><span></span>
					</span>relies<span>
					</span>to establish<span>
					</span>Trench 1<span>
					</span>was five feet<span>
					</span>or greater are<span>
					</span>inaccurate based<span>
					</span>on<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>tilt or<span>
					</span>angle<span>
					</span>placement<span><span></span>
					</span>of the ladder. The<span>
					</span>tilt or<span>
					</span>angle of the ladder<span>
					</span>is the lynchpin since<span>
					</span>the issue<span>
					</span>is whether the ladder being at<span><span></span>
					</span>an angle<span><span></span>
					</span>or tilt<span>
					</span>added approximately seven inches to the depth of Trench 1<span><span></span>
					</span>so the Citation was supportable in that context.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">It was not impossible or impractical<span><span></span>
					</span>for the CSHO to have had<span>
					</span>the ladder and measuring rod be placed directly vertical to the excavation wall to obtain the<span>
					</span>depth<span>
					</span>measurement. It would have taken the CSHO little time and effort to<span>
					</span>ensure<span><span></span>
					</span>the vertical placement of the ladder and measuring rod<span><span></span>
					</span>when taking his measurements.<span>
					</span>In<span>
					</span>this case, where the issue<span><span></span>
					</span>boils<span><span></span>
					</span>down to<span>
					</span>“approximately”<span><span></span>
					</span>seven<span><span></span>
					</span>inches<span><span></span>
					</span>from having the regulation apply or not apply (from 4 ft. 11 inches to approximately 5 ft. 6 inches<span>
					</span>as set forth in the Citation),<span><span></span>
					</span>being thorough<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>complete<span><span></span>
					</span>in the correct placement of the<span>
					</span>measuring rod<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>ladder<span>
					</span>would have not placed the measurements of<span>
					</span>Complainant into question.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">In addition, the CSHO testified he was trained and had used in the past a method<span>
					</span>which would been better to use<span>
					</span>in<span><span></span>
					</span>this<span>
					</span>case to obtain accurate measurements<span><span></span>
					</span>when<span>
					</span>entry into a trench is not feasible. He<span>
					</span>referred<span><span></span>
					</span>to that method as a<span>
					</span>“fish tape”<span><span></span>
					</span>method. This<span>
					</span>method<span><span></span>
					</span>is where fish tape is put on the top of a measuring rod and then dropped into the trench<span><span></span>
					</span>to obtain measurements.<span>
					</span>Tr. 50-51.<span><span></span>
					</span>This certainly would have<span>
					</span>avoided<span><span></span>
					</span>the geometry principle invoked<span><span></span>
					</span>by Respondent<span><span></span>
					</span>to invalidate the<span>
					</span>method and<span>
					</span>measurement<span><span></span>
					</span>taken by the CSHO<span>
					</span>in this case. <span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Finally,<span>
					</span>the wording<span>
					</span>used by Complainant in<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>alleged<span><span></span>
					</span>violation description contained in the Citation,<span>
					</span>by<span><span></span>
					</span>describing the depth as<span>
					</span>“approximately<span><span></span>
					</span>five<span><span></span>
					</span>feet<span>
					</span>six<span><span></span>
					</span>inches”<span><span></span>
					</span>did<span>
					</span>send<span><span></span>
					</span>a message to the Court the Complainant<span><span></span>
					</span>himself was unsure about<span><span></span>
					</span>the actual depth of<span>
					</span>Trench 1<span><span></span>
					</span>and the methods utilized in this case.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">For all of the reasons stated above, the Court finds Complainant did not<span><span></span>
					</span>carry his burden<span>
					</span>of proof<span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>present<span>
					</span>reliable<span>
					</span>evidence<span><span></span>
					</span>that Trench 1 was<span>
					</span>five<span><span></span>
					</span>feet or greater for the regulation to apply.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;padding-right:20px;">B.</span><span><span></span>
				</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Trench 1 was Not in Stable R</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">o</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">ck</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"></span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">While there is a<span>
					</span>dispute<span>
					</span>between<span>
					</span>Complainant and<span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent as to the<span>
					</span>composition<span><span></span>
					</span>of soil<span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>Trench<span><span></span>
					</span>1<span><span></span>
					</span>the Court finds that dispute is not material<span><span></span>
					</span>to a<span>
					</span>finding of whether<span>
					</span>Respondent can rely on<span><span></span>
					</span>an exemption<span><span></span>
					</span>set forth in the cited regulation.<span>
					</span>Respondent contends the soil was<span><span></span>
					</span>“mixed”<span><span></span>
					</span>soil with<span>
					</span>clay,<span>
					</span>gravel<span>
					</span>with a black<span><span></span>
					</span>dirt<span><span></span>
					</span>top.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr. 229-230.<span>
					</span>Complainant<span><span></span>
					</span>defined the<span>
					</span>soil<span>
					</span>as clay and sand.<span>
					</span>Tr. 61-62, 168.<span><span></span>
					</span>While there may be a dispute as to what the<span><span></span>
					</span>composition<span><span></span>
					</span>of the<span>
					</span>soil<span><span></span>
					</span>for soil classification purposes, there is<span><span></span>
					</span>no dispute<span>
					</span>the soil was<span><span></span>
					</span>not<span>
					</span>stable<span><span></span>
					</span>rock for the purpose of determining the<span>
					</span>applicability<span><span></span>
					</span>of<span>
					</span>one of the<span>
					</span>exceptions.<span><span></span>
					</span>Whether<span><span></span>
					</span>the soil was a combination of clay,<span>
					</span>dirt or sand, it<span>
					</span>does not constitute stable rock.<span><span></span>
					</span>The exception contained in the regulation<span><span></span>
					</span>on the basis of stable rock is not available to Respondent.<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;padding-right:20px;">C.</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Competent Person</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
				</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent argued<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Trench 1 was less than five feet and a com</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">petent</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>pe</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rson made a<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">determination</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">there was no</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>potential cave-in.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant having failed in it</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">p</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">roof</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Trench 1 was<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">five feet or greater, the analysis<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">now<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">goes</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to w</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hether a competent person was at the worksite the day of the inspection.<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">I</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t is<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">u</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">disput</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed Cic</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cone<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>competent</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>person at the wor</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ksite</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tr. 48-49, 70-71, 212, 218, 222. </span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; padding-right:20px;">D.</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Determination of Competent Person<span>
					</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Trench 1 Had<span>
					</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">no</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
					</span>Cave</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">-in Potential</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"></span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">final</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">determination</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is whether Mr. Ciccon</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e, as the co</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">mpetent<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">person</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ma</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e a<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">termi</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tion<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of t</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">h</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e grou</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nd in<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rench</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to determine there<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">no cave-in potenti</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">al</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Cic</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cone testified he did make that<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">determination</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ciccone testified</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>he</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>first<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">made a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">determination</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e excavatio</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">did not<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">need to go five feet or over.<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>He stated he talked to the plum</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">specto</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">r to o</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">btain his approval to not go five feet in depth as required by the city code and instead would<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">dig only to the top of a foot</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The city inspector gave hi</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s approval</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. B</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">eing permitted to dig to th</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e top of the</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>footing of the current space would<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">not re</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">quire Respondent to dig down five<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">feet</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tr. 220, 232-233.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Performing the job in this fashion is the likely reason when the CSHO condu</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cted</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>h</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is first measurement,</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the depth of Trench 1 was not over five feet.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Second, Mr. Ciccone indicated he<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">next mea</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sured<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the ex</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cav</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tion</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on where to place the access l</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">adder. He then measured the depth of</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Trench 1 between the access ladder and the f</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">oundation, i.e. working area to de</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">termine if the depth was under five feet,</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Mr. Ciccone testified those measurements indica</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ted<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he depth of<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Trench<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1 was under<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">f</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ive</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>feet This also could account for the reason the CSHO</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s second set of mea</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">surements also indicated the depth was under five f</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">eet. Finally, t</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">h</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e placement<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of the access ladder</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was to define a working area where the d</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">epth<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was not greater than five feet.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">224, 230-236.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr. Ciccone examination of the ground conditions, he</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>stated</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>three feet from the foundation has been previ</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ously disturbed when the residence was built. Thus, he classified that as Type B. For th</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">gro</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">und three feet from the foundation<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">forward<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to the sidewalk</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, he determined the soil w</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>pr</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">eviously undisturbed and was made of<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">clay with a black dirt top.<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">He classified t</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">h</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>soi</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l as Type A.<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr. Ciccone stated he did not find a hazard of a cav</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-in</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">due<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to th</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is soil configuration</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Tr. 229-235.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">evidentially takes the<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">position</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">such det</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rm</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tion</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>should have been documented</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>since</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>during trial<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">h</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>elicited testimony</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr. Ciccone</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s actions were<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">not documented. Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">223-224.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The cited regu</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tio</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>doe</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s not requi</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">re th</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">deter</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">m</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tion<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">has to be documented.<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant did not cite t</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o any case precedent to support this<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">position</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ciccone</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">testimony</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was not contrad</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">icted<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by Complainant. The Court finds Respondent, through its competent person, did make</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">de</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">termination</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e ground soil in the working a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rea of<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Trench 1 did no</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>have</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a cave-in potential.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">VII. CONCLUSION</span><span style="font-weight:bold; background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Court finds: (i) Complainant failed to establi</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sh<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">working ar</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of T</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rench 1 was five feet or greater</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; (ii)<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">did esta</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">bl</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ish<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr. Ci</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ccone<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the competent per</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at the worksite on the day of the ins</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">pection; and (iii) Respondent</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>did establish</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr. Ciccone made a determination<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that based on ground con</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ditions<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">there was n</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o cave-in potential in</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Trench 1.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based upon the above fi</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ndings of<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">fact and conclus</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ions of law Citation 1, Item is VACATED.</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:center; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">O</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">RDER</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The foregoing Decision constitutes the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in accordance with Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is ORDERED that:<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-weight:bold; font-weight:normal; padding-right:20px;">1.</span><span><span></span>
				</span>Citation 1, Item 1<span>
				</span>is<span>
				</span>VACATED<span><span></span>
				</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">SO ORDERED.<span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Kunstler Script; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Kunstler Script; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; "></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Lucida Handwriting; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Lucida Handwriting; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; ">/s/ Patrick B. Augustine</span><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
				</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:298.333px;"/>
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					<td style="vertical-align:top; padding-bottom:0cm; padding-left:.191cm; padding-right:.191cm; padding-top:0cm; width:8.446cm;">
						<div>
							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal "> </p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal ">Denver, CO</p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal ">Dated:<span>
								</span>September 28, 2022</p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td style="vertical-align:top; padding-bottom:0cm; padding-left:.191cm; padding-right:.191cm; padding-top:0cm; border-top:solid .018cm #000000; width:8.446cm;">
						<div>
							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal ">Patrick B. Augustine</p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal ">First Judge - OSHRC</p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
			</table>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:center; "><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"></span> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal " style="text-align:center; "><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"></span> </p>
			</div>
			<hr/>"
      <div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn0" href="#ftnref0"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">1 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>Although the Commission recognizes<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>difficulties a<span><span></span>
					</span>self-represented<span><span></span>
					</span>litigant may face<span>
					</span>when participating<span>
					</span>in the Commission’s proceedings, the Commission<span><span></span>
					</span>still requires the<span>
					</span>self-represented<span><span></span>
					</span>litigant<span><span></span>
					</span>to follow the rules and<span><span></span>
					</span>exercise reasonable diligence in the legal proceedings in which it<span><span></span>
					</span>is<span><span></span>
					</span>taking part.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">S</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">ealtite C</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">o</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">rp</span>., 15 BNA<span>
					</span>OSHC 1130 (No. 88-1431,<span>
					</span>1991).<span>
					</span>An unrepresented employer must “exercise reasonable diligence in the legal proceedings” and “must follow the rules and<span><span></span>
					</span>file responses to a judge's orders, or suffer the consequences, which<span><span></span>
					</span>can include dismissal of<span><span></span>
					</span>the notice<span>
					</span>of contest.”<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Wentzel d/b/a N</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">.E.E.T. Buil</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">ders</span>, 16 BNA OSHC 1475, 1476 (No. 92-2696, 1993) (citations omitted).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">2 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>When Citation<span><span></span>
					</span>1, Item<span>
					</span>1<span>
					</span>was issued it<span>
					</span>stated<span><span></span>
					</span>the inspection<span>
					</span>occurred<span><span></span>
					</span>at 1105 W. Busse Avenue, Arlington<span>
					</span>Heights,<span><span></span>
					</span>Illinois.<span><span></span>
					</span>On February 3, 2022, the<span>
					</span>Court granted an unopposed Motion to Amend the<span>
					</span>Citation to<span><span></span>
					</span>reflect the<span>
					</span>location was in Mount Prospect, Illinois.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn2" href="#ftnref2"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">3 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>The Citation alleges<span>
					</span>Respondent violated 29<span><span></span>
					</span>C.F.R. § 1926.652(a)(1) by failing to protect an employee in an excavation from<span>
					</span>cave-in<span><span></span>
					</span>hazards<span><span></span>
					</span>by a protective<span><span></span>
					</span>system.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn3" href="#ftnref3"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">4 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>The Parties did not stipulate to the Federal<span>
					</span>Rules of<span><span></span>
					</span>Evidence applying<span><span></span>
					</span>in this case.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Commission Rule 209, 29 C.F.R. § 2200.209.<span><span></span>
					</span>Tr. 11.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn4" href="#ftnref4"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">5 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>The Parties used the term<span>
					</span>“travel area”<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>“working area”<span><span></span>
					</span>to define the area in which work was being performed. There is no<span><span></span>
					</span>dispute between the Parties<span>
					</span>the area<span><span></span>
					</span>where work was bring performed was from the access ladder to the foundation of the<span><span></span>
					</span>residential<span>
					</span>structure.<span>
					</span>For the purpose of uniformity<span><span></span>
					</span>that area will<span>
					</span>be<span><span></span>
					</span>referenced by the Court as the<span>
					</span>“working area.” The working area is the only area in dispute in this case<span><span></span>
					</span>because<span>
					</span>Ramirez, the employee working<span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>Trench 1, was<span>
					</span>only<span>
					</span>working<span><span></span>
					</span>in the<span>
					</span>work area. Tr.<span><span></span>
					</span>59, 61, 92-93.<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">CSHO</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">greed the area i</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">n which the<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">Ramire</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">z</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was work</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">ing was be</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">tween<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">area from the<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">la</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">dder<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">the fou</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">ndation<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">o</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">f the<span>
						</span></span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">residence.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Id</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn5" href="#ftnref5"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">6 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>The Parties used the term engineering rod, trench rod and measuring rod<span><span></span>
					</span>during<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>trial.<span>
					</span>The purpose of the rod<span><span></span>
					</span>was to<span><span></span>
					</span>take<span>
					</span>measurements. The Court will use the<span>
					</span>term<span>
					</span>“measuring rod”<span><span></span>
					</span>for<span>
					</span>uniformity.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn6" href="#ftnref6"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">7 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>The<span><span></span>
					</span>Commission has held that, when<span><span></span>
					</span>a standard prescribes specific means of enhancing employee safety, [a] hazard is presumed to exist if the terms<span><span></span>
					</span>of the standard are violated.”).<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Joseph J. Stola</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">r Constr. Co</span>., 9 BNA OSHC 2020, 2024<span><span></span>
					</span>n.9<span><span></span>
					</span>(No. 78-2528, 1981).<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Se</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">e also</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Kaspar Electrop</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">lating Co</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">r</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">p</span>., 16 BNA OSHC 1517 (No. 90-2866, 1993).<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">See also</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Sanderson Farm</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">s, Inc. v. Perez</span>,<span>
					</span>811<span>
					</span>F.3d.<span><span></span>
					</span>730<span><span></span>
					</span>(5th Cir.<span>
					</span>2016).<span>
					</span>In this case the regulation cited does not require the Secretary<span><span></span>
					</span>to prove<span>
					</span>the existence of a hazard<span><span></span>
					</span>since it is a specification standard.<span style="color:#ff0000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>It<span>
					</span>is not necessary to show Respondent understands or acknowledges the physical conditions were actually hazardous.<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Phoenix Roofing, Inc</span>., 17 BNA OSHC 1076, 1079-1080 (No. 90-2148, 1995)<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>without</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>published opinion</span>, 79 F.3d<span>
					</span>1146 (5th Cir. 1996).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn7" href="#ftnref7"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">8 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>The Commission<span>
					</span>has<span>
					</span>held that “[w]here it is highly probable that a<span>
					</span>case will be appealed to a particular circuit, the Commission generally has applied the precedent of<span><span></span>
					</span>that circuit in deciding the<span><span></span>
					</span>case— even though it may<span><span></span>
					</span>differ from the Commission's precedent.”<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">K</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">erns Br</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">o</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">s.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Tree Serv.</span>, 18 BNA OSHC<span><span></span>
					</span>2064, 2067 (No. 96-1719,<span><span></span>
					</span>2000). The Court applies the precedent of the<span>
					</span>Seventh<span><span></span>
					</span>Circuit<span>
					</span>where it differs from the Commission<span>
					</span>in deciding this<span><span></span>
					</span>case.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn8" href="#ftnref8"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">9 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Hypotenuse<span>
						</span></span>at<span>
					</span>Encyclopedia<span><span></span>
					</span>of<span>
					</span>Mathematics,<span>
					</span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; text-decoration:underline ;">http://encyclopediaofmath.org</span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; text-decoration:underline ;">/index.php?title=Hy</span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; text-decoration:underline ;">pote</span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; text-decoration:underline ;">nuse</span><span class="style_Hyperlink style_Hyperlink " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; text-decoration:underline ;">&oldid+32067</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn9" href="#ftnref9"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">10 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>The decision on<span><span></span>
					</span>whether to take judicial notice is one for the court alone to make pursuant to Fed.R.Evid. 104(a).<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">U.S. v. Bello</span>, 194 F.3d 18 (1st<span><span></span>
					</span>Cir. 1999). Judicial notice is appropriate when certain facts are beyond any serious dispute because they are such common knowledge or accurate<span>
					</span>determinations<span><span></span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>evidence their existence is not necessary.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">York v. American Tel. & Tel. Co</span>., 95 F.3d 948 (10<span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; ">th</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Cir. 1996).<span>
					</span>
					<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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