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		<title>Tom Kubricky Company, Inc. OSHRC Docket No. 19-0232</title>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; margin-right:24px; ">United States of America</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:center; margin-left:108px; margin-right:24px; ">1120 20th Street, N.W., Ninth Floor</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:center; margin-left:108px; margin-right:24px; ">Washington, DC 20036-3457</p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_TableParagraph style_TableParagraph " style="margin-top:5.2px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:61.6px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHRC Docket No. 1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">9-0232</span></p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_TableParagraph style_TableParagraph " style="margin-top:8.067px; margin-bottom:0px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">TOM KUBRICKY CO.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, INC.,</span></p>
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							<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_TableParagraph style_TableParagraph " style="margin-top:5.2px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:54.733px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent.</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">DECISION</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">AND</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">ORDER</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; ">APPEARANCES:</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; ">For the Complainant:</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Rosemary Almonte, Esq.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>U.S. Department of Labor</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>New York, New York</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; ">For the Respondent:</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Tom Kubricky</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Tom Kubricky Co., Inc.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; ">
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Gansevoort, New York</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; ">BEFORE:<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>William S.<span style="letter-spacing:-.002cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>Coleman</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:110.667px; ">Administrative Law Judge</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">INTRODUCTION</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Respondent,<span>
					</span>Tom Kubricky Co., Inc.<span><span></span>
					</span>(TKC),<span><span></span>
					</span>repaired a<span><span></span>
					</span>broken<span><span></span>
					</span>sewer force main<span><span></span>
					</span>in the Town of Niskayuna, New York,<span><span></span>
					</span>on<span><span></span>
					</span>September 22, 2018. To make the repair,<span>
					</span>TKC dug an excavation<span>
					</span>that was about 178 feet long,<span>
					</span>48<span><span></span>
					</span>feet wide, and<span>
					</span>more than 20 feet deep. The deepest part<span>
					</span>of the excavation<span>
					</span>was a trench<span>
					</span>whose depth varied<span><span></span>
					</span>between<span>
					</span>10 to 12 feet,<span><span></span>
					</span>whose width varied<span>
					</span>between 4 and 10 feet, and whose floor was less than 50 feet long. </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">On<span>
					</span>September 25, 2018, the Occupational Safety and Health<span>
					</span>Administration (OSHA)<span>
					</span>opened an inspection<span>
					</span>into<span>
					</span>the repair work.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The<span>
					</span>inspection<span>
					</span>resulted in OSHA issuing<span>
					</span>a serious citation (Citation)<span>
					</span>to TKC<span>
					</span>on January 24, 2019<span>
					</span>that alleged three<span>
					</span>violations<span><span></span>
					</span>(designated<span>
					</span>Items 1,<span><span></span>
					</span>2<span><span></span>
					</span>&<span>
					</span>3)<span>
					</span>of OSHA’s<span>
					</span>Excavations<span><span></span>
					</span>standard, 29 C.F.R. §§ 1926.650,<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">et. seq.</span>,<span><span></span>
					</span>with a<span><span></span>
					</span>total<span>
					</span>proposed penalty of $10,798. </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">TKC timely<span style="letter-spacing:-.023cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>contested<span style="letter-spacing:-.025cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>the<span style="letter-spacing:-.023cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>Citation<span style="letter-spacing:-.026cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>and<span style="letter-spacing:-.023cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>proposed<span style="letter-spacing:-.025cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>penalty<span style="letter-spacing:-.023cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>and<span style="letter-spacing:-.023cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>thereby<span style="letter-spacing:-.025cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>brought<span style="letter-spacing:-.023cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>the<span style="letter-spacing:-.025cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>matter before the<span>
					</span>independent<span>
					</span>Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (Commission) pursuant to section 10(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Act).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>29 U.S.C. § 659(c).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The Commission docketed the matter on February 21, 2019.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Secretary of Labor (Secretary) thereafter filed his formal complaint<span><span></span>
					</span>pursuant to Commission Rule 34(a), 29 C.F.R. § 2200.34(a),<span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>which<span><span></span>
					</span>he<span>
					</span>re-alleged<span>
					</span>Item 1,<span>
					</span>amended Item 2,<span><span></span>
					</span>and withdrew Item 3,<span>
					</span>resulting in<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>lower<span><span></span>
					</span>proposed penalty<span><span></span>
					</span>of<span><span></span>
					</span>$6,820<span><span></span>
					</span>for the two remaining citation items.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Item<span><span></span>
					</span>1<span><span></span>
					</span>alleged<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span><span></span>
					</span>violation of<span>
					</span>§ 1926.651(c)(2)<span><span></span>
					</span>for<span><span></span>
					</span>failing to provide a safe means of egress from a trench four feet or greater in depth.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Item<span>
					</span>2, as amended by the complaint,<span><span></span>
					</span>alleged<span><span></span>
					</span>a violation of § 1926.652(a)(1)<span><span></span>
					</span>for failing<span><span></span>
					</span>to provide an adequate protective system<span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>protect employees working in an excavation from cave-ins.<span>
					</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.012cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Commission’s</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Chief</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.012cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Judge</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">assigned</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">matter</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.012cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.012cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">undersigned</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.012cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hearing and</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.028cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">decision.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="letter-spacing:.055cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.025cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hearing</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.026cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.025cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">conducted</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.026cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Albany, New York</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">December 19</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-20</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2019</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Post- hearing briefing was completed on Ma</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rch</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">9</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 20</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">20</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:62.4px; ">The principal issues for decision are:</p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:134.667px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:4px; line-height:normal; margin-left:134.4px; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:48px; margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:4px; line-height:normal; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Symbol; width: 100;padding-right:20px;">·</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Did the Secretary prove by a preponderance of the evidence that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the sloped faces</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>ends of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">trenched<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lower portion of the excavation<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">did not<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">provide<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">safe means of egress from the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">trench</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">? (Item 1; §</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1926.651(c)(2)).</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:4.267px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:168px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Decision</span>: Yes. </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:134.667px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:6.733px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; margin-left:134.4px; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:48px; margin-top:6.733px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Symbol; width: 100;padding-right:20px;">·</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Did the Secretary prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the excavation<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lac</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ked an adequate protective system to protect employees from cave-ins</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">?<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Item<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; §</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.002cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1926.652(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(1)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:168px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Decision</span>:<span>
					</span>Yes.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:10.267px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Because the Secretary<span><span></span>
					</span>met<span><span></span>
					</span>his burden of proof on these issues,<span>
					</span>Items 1 and 2 are affirmed. Penalties totaling $6,000<span><span></span>
					</span>for the two violations are assessed.</p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_Heading1 style_Heading1 " style="text-align:center; outline-width:1; " xmlns:text="urn:oasis:names:tc:opendocument:xmlns:text:1.0" text:is-list-header="true">FINDINGS OF FACT</p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The following facts were established by at least a preponderance of the evidence:</p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">1.</span>On<span>
				</span>January 24, 2019, OSHA’s Area Office<span><span></span>
				</span>located in Albany, New York<span><span></span>
				</span>issued a citation and notification of penalty to TKC. The citation was related to<span><span></span>
				</span>an excavation<span><span></span>
				</span>TKC<span>
				</span>dug to<span>
				</span>repair a<span><span></span>
				</span>6-inch<span><span></span>
				</span>underground<span><span></span>
				</span>sewer<span><span></span>
				</span>main<span>
				</span>beneath<span>
				</span>a residential<span>
				</span>street in the Town of Niskayuna<span><span></span>
				</span>(Town).<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>The excavation and repair occurred on<span>
				</span>Saturday,<span>
				</span>September 22, 2018,<span>
				</span>in front of<span><span></span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>house<span><span></span>
				</span>at 815 Trottingham<span>
				</span>Drive<span><span></span>
				</span>in the Town. (T.<span>
				</span>66).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">2.</span>TKC is a<span>
				</span>corporation organized under the laws of New York, does business in New York,<span><span></span>
				</span>and is engaged in construction work.<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>(T. 21-24). TKC is in the business of water and sewer line installation and emergency repair work for municipalities. (T. 451). Many of the materials and supplies used by TKC originated or were shipped from outside the State of New York. (T. 21-24). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">3.</span>Mr.<span>
				</span>Tom Kubricky is the president of TKC. (T. 557). He<span><span></span>
				</span>has<span>
				</span>been engaged in<span><span></span>
				</span>excavation work for<span>
				</span>42<span><span></span>
				</span>years, beginning<span><span></span>
				</span>as a laborer<span><span></span>
				</span>with his father’s company. (T.<span><span></span>
				</span>449-50). He<span><span></span>
				</span>is not a registered professional engineer. (T. 573).</p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:24px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Prior<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Excavation</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">s</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in 1978 and 2012</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;padding-right:20px;">4.</span>An<span>
				</span>8-inch<span>
				</span>gravity sewer and<span>
				</span>6-inch<span>
				</span>sanitary sewer<span>
				</span>force<span>
				</span>main were<span><span></span>
				</span>originally installed<span><span></span>
				</span>in parallel<span>
				</span>under the roadway of Trottingham Drive<span><span></span>
				</span>in 1978.<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>(T.<span>
				</span>105-06,<span>
				</span>458-59,<span>
				</span>535,<span><span></span>
				</span>637,<span>
				</span>648-49; Ex. R-8-2). A<span><span></span>
				</span>company owned by Tom Kubricky’s father<span>
				</span>performed<span><span></span>
				</span>the original excavation<span>
				</span>and installation of the<span>
				</span>two<span>
				</span>lines<span><span></span>
				</span>in 1978. (T. 459). Tom Kubricky<span>
				</span>participated in<span><span></span>
				</span>the 1978 excavation and installation<span>
				</span>as a laborer<span><span></span>
				</span>for his father’s company.<span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>(T. 459, 529). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;padding-right:20px;">5.</span>When the<span>
				</span>two sewer lines<span><span></span>
				</span>were installed in 1978,<span><span></span>
				</span>an engineering firm involved in the installation created a<span><span></span>
				</span>record map<span>
				</span>that was received in evidence as Court Exhibit 1. The record map reflects the “as-built” measurements for the sewer installation, and among other things shows<span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>depths of the lines below the surface, the<span><span></span>
				</span>relative positions of the two sewer lines,<span>
				</span>the slope of the gravity sewer, the location of each manhole for the gravity sewer and the distances between manholes, and the precise depths of the gravity sewer line at its entry and exit points for each manhole. (T. 659-664). At the location in front of 815 Trottingham Drive, the force main is positioned about 1.2 feet higher than the gravity sewer. (Court Ex. 1). (Testimonial evidence established that the force main is slightly offset so that it is not directly above the gravity sewer (T. 470-71).)</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;padding-right:20px;">6.</span>The record map also<span>
				</span>depicts<span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>two-dimensional<span>
				</span>profile<span><span></span>
				</span>of<span>
				</span>a<span>
				</span>subterranean<span>
				</span>rock formation. (T. 667-68, 675). The rock<span><span></span>
				</span>formation’s<span>
				</span>depth<span>
				</span>is irregular, varying from<span>
				</span>roughly twelve to eighteen<span><span></span>
				</span>feet below the surface. (Court Ex. 1).<span><span></span>
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;padding-right:20px;">7.</span>When the sewer lines were installed in<span>
				</span>1978,<span><span></span>
				</span>some of<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>subterranean<span>
				</span>rock<span>
				</span>in front of 815 Trottingham Drive<span>
				</span>was<span>
				</span>excavated to<span>
				</span>create<span><span></span>
				</span>a<span>
				</span>subterranean trench<span><span></span>
				</span>through which the<span><span></span>
				</span>two sewer lines<span>
				</span>would<span>
				</span>pass,<span>
				</span>at depths<span><span></span>
				</span>between<span>
				</span>20 to 27<span><span></span>
				</span>feet<span><span></span>
				</span>below the<span>
				</span>sloped<span>
				</span>surface. (T.<span>
				</span>78,<span><span></span>
				</span>95, 460, 483, 681, 683; Ex. R-8-2; Court Ex. 1). The<span>
				</span>distance<span><span></span>
				</span>between the two manholes that<span>
				</span>framed this<span><span></span>
				</span>segment<span>
				</span>of the<span>
				</span>sewer<span>
				</span>lines<span>
				</span>is 398.7<span>
				</span>linear<span>
				</span>feet. (Court Ex. 1). Of that<span><span></span>
				</span>distance, about 330 linear feet of the gravity sewer line was installed below the level of the rock formation. (Court Ex. 1). Over that same segment, about 270 linear feet of the force main was installed below the level of the rock formation. (Court Ex. 1). (The difference<span>
				</span>in<span>
				</span>these<span>
				</span>lengths<span><span></span>
				</span>owes<span><span></span>
				</span>to<span>
				</span>the force main<span>
				</span>being<span>
				</span>installed about<span>
				</span>1.2 feet<span>
				</span>above<span><span></span>
				</span>the gravity sewer<span><span></span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>to<span>
				</span>the varying elevation of the rock formation<span><span></span>
				</span>in this segment.)</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;padding-right:20px;">8.</span>When the<span>
				</span>sewer lines were installed<span>
				</span>in 1978, none<span>
				</span>of the<span>
				</span>soil and rock<span><span></span>
				</span>that had been excavated<span>
				</span>was<span><span></span>
				</span>used to close<span>
				</span>the excavation. (T. 462). Instead,<span>
				</span>backfill<span>
				</span>soil<span>
				</span>consisting of sand and<span>
				</span>“run<span><span></span>
				</span>of bank”<span><span></span>
				</span>(imported natural, unprocessed soil)<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_CommentReference style_CommentReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:8pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span>was<span>
				</span>used to fill the excavation<span>
				</span>up to<span>
				</span>approximately<span>
				</span>16-18<span><span></span>
				</span>inches below the surface.<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>Above that<span><span></span>
				</span>was<span><span></span>
				</span>12-15 inches of<span>
				</span>crushed gravel<span><span></span>
				</span>and<span><span></span>
				</span>other<span>
				</span>material<span><span></span>
				</span>that<span><span></span>
				</span>formed the road’s sub-base, topped by 2-3 inches of<span>
				</span>asphalt<span>
				</span>pavement. (T. 461, 491, 497).<span>
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;padding-right:20px;">9.</span>In 2012,<span>
				</span>TKC<span>
				</span>performed an excavation and<span>
				</span>repair on<span><span></span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>same<span>
				</span>sewer<span><span></span>
				</span>line<span>
				</span>at a location<span>
				</span>slightly<span>
				</span>north of<span>
				</span>815 Trottingham Drive.<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>The<span><span></span>
				</span>backfill<span>
				</span>that was<span>
				</span>used to close the<span>
				</span>excavation in<span>
				</span>1978<span>
				</span>was<span>
				</span>excavated, stored,<span>
				</span>and then<span>
				</span>reused to close the<span>
				</span>2012<span>
				</span>excavation. (T.<span>
				</span>462,<span>
				</span>465, 491-92).<span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">2018</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Excavation</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">10.</span>On September 21, 2018,<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>Town<span>
				</span>hired<span>
				</span>TKC to repair a<span>
				</span>break in<span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>sewer force main<span>
				</span>located<span>
				</span>in front of<span>
				</span>815 Trottingham Drive (Worksite). (T. 65-66,<span>
				</span>143-44,<span>
				</span>455). There was no written agreement<span>
				</span>for the repair<span>
				</span>between TKC and the Town. (T.<span><span></span>
				</span>452-56,<span><span></span>
				</span>600).<span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>Tom Kubricky met with the Superintendent of Water and Sewer for the Town, Mr. Matthew Yetto,<span><span></span>
				</span>at the<span>
				</span>Worksite<span>
				</span>on Friday, September 21, 2018. (T. 66-67, 535). The Town did not provide an excavation plan to TKC. (T. 97, 456). TKC<span>
				</span>started<span>
				</span>mobilizing<span><span></span>
				</span>equipment<span>
				</span>at the<span>
				</span>Worksite<span>
				</span>that<span>
				</span>afternoon. </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">11.</span>The<span>
				</span>next day,<span>
				</span>Saturday, September 22,<span>
				</span>TKC opened the excavation and completed the repair around midnight. The Town closed the excavation<span><span></span>
				</span>sometime after midnight<span>
				</span>(i.e.,<span>
				</span>in the<span>
				</span>early<span>
				</span>hours of<span>
				</span>Sunday morning, September 23). (T.<span>
				</span>67-68,<span>
				</span>137-38,<span><span></span>
				</span>143-44,<span><span></span>
				</span>476,<span>
				</span>601-02).<span><span></span>
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="text-decoration:underline ;padding-right:20px;">12.</span>TKC<span>
				</span>used its heavy equipment, known as an<span>
				</span>“excavator,”<span><span></span>
				</span>to<span>
				</span>dig<span><span></span>
				</span>the excavation. (T. 355,<span>
				</span>519,<span>
				</span>639). The Town provided and operated the dump trucks<span><span></span>
				</span>that<span>
				</span>removed<span><span></span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>excavated material<span><span></span>
				</span>from the<span>
				</span>Worksite. (T.<span>
				</span>457, 601). The Town also provided<span>
				</span>two vacuum<span>
				</span>extraction trucks<span><span></span>
				</span>and a 35-foot vacuum extraction tube<span><span></span>
				</span>that were<span><span></span>
				</span>used to<span><span></span>
				</span>suction out soil and<span>
				</span>effluent from the<span>
				</span>excavation. (T. 68, 457). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">13.</span>Mr. Yetto was at the Worksite on September 21 and 22, 2018.<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>(T. 66-68, 456). The Town<span>
				</span>had about thirteen employees at the<span>
				</span>Worksite<span><span></span>
				</span>involved in operating<span>
				</span>the dump trucks,<span><span></span>
				</span>the vacuum trucks,<span><span></span>
				</span>and<span><span></span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>extraction<span>
				</span>tube. (T. 518, 712-13). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">14.</span>Four TKC employees worked at the<span>
				</span>Worksite. (T.<span>
				</span>517-18). Tom Kubricky<span>
				</span>supervised the other three<span>
				</span>TKC employees.<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>Scott Kubricky operated the excavator. (T. 68, 517). Bob Zabielski and Forrest Kubricky worked<span>
				</span>at the bottom of<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>excavation, using<span>
				</span>hand tools<span>
				</span>to expose the broken<span>
				</span>pipe,<span><span></span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>then repairing<span><span></span>
				</span>it. (T. 66-68, 275-76, 488-89, 502, 517-18, 560; Exs. C-20<span><span></span>
				</span>&<span><span></span>
				</span>C-23). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">15.</span>TKC did not take<span><span></span>
				</span>precise measurements of the footprint of the excavation, but Tom Kubricky<span>
				</span>paced<span><span></span>
				</span>off<span><span></span>
				</span>the surface area<span><span></span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>he<span>
				</span>estimated the footprint<span>
				</span>to be<span><span></span>
				</span>approximately 178<span><span></span>
				</span>feet<span><span></span>
				</span>long and 48 feet wide.<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref2" href="#ftn2">1</a></span><span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>(T. 467, 533-35, 538-39). The<span><span></span>
				</span>north end of the<span>
				</span>2018 excavation overlapped<span><span></span>
				</span>about 20 feet of the<span>
				</span>area excavated in<span>
				</span>2012,<span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>so the<span>
				</span>remaining<span>
				</span>approximate 158-foot<span>
				</span>length of the excavation to<span>
				</span>the south<span>
				</span>(where Trottingham Drive ends<span><span></span>
				</span>in a T-intersection with Whitney Drive)<span><span></span>
				</span>had not been excavated since the sewer installation in 1978. (T. 78, 503-05; Court Ex. 1). No stable rock was excavated as part of the excavations done in 2012 or 2018. (T. 469, 483).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">16.</span>The ground at the Worksite<span>
				</span>had a downslope from south to north,<span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>so<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>depth<span>
				</span>of the<span><span></span>
				</span>force<span>
				</span>main<span>
				</span>relative to the<span>
				</span>excavation’s<span>
				</span>edge<span>
				</span>was about 27<span><span></span>
				</span>feet at the<span>
				</span>deeper south<span><span></span>
				</span>end, gradually<span>
				</span>decreasing to<span>
				</span>about<span>
				</span>20<span><span></span>
				</span>feet<span><span></span>
				</span>at the<span>
				</span>shallower<span><span></span>
				</span>north<span><span></span>
				</span>end. (Court Ex. 1).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">17.</span>From the side of the excavation, the excavator’s reach was not long enough to<span>
				</span>get<span><span></span>
				</span>to the<span>
				</span>depth of the<span>
				</span>broken pipe,<span><span></span>
				</span>so<span><span></span>
				</span>TKC dug<span>
				</span>the excavation in two stages.<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>(T. 520).<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>TKC<span>
				</span>first excavated<span><span></span>
				</span>the approximate 178x48 feet<span>
				</span>upper<span><span></span>
				</span>portion,<span><span></span>
				</span>the deepest part of<span>
				</span>which was<span>
				</span>about fifteen feet<span>
				</span>at the south end<span>
				</span>near Whitney Drive. (T. 233, 278,<span><span></span>
				</span>467,<span><span></span>
				</span>482, 642). TKC then moved the excavator to the floor of the upper portion,<span>
				</span>from<span>
				</span>where it<span><span></span>
				</span>removed the backfill from<span>
				</span>a<span>
				</span>segment of the<span>
				</span>subterranean<span>
				</span>trench to get to the<span>
				</span>location of the break in the force main. (T. 67, 503-04). The excavator removed the backfill to<span>
				</span>expose<span>
				</span>the vertical sides of the subterranean trench, which were<span>
				</span>constituted of<span>
				</span>stable rock.</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">18.</span>The<span>
				</span>composition of the<span>
				</span>material excavated<span>
				</span>in 2018<span><span></span>
				</span>was a combination of sand and “run<span><span></span>
				</span>of bank” backfill from<span>
				</span>the original excavation in 1978, brown clay<span><span></span>
				</span>and<span><span></span>
				</span>blue clay<span><span></span>
				</span>excavated from the long sides of the upper portion of the excavation, and crushed stone that had formed the roadbed. (T. 74-75, 78-79, 467). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">19.</span>The excavation’s wide and long upper portion had a mostly flat floor. (T. 475, 520, 648). The slope of the<span>
				</span>upper portion’s<span>
				</span>faces varied between<span>
				</span>“three-quarter<span><span></span>
				</span>horizontal<span><span></span>
				</span>to<span><span></span>
				</span>one<span><span></span>
				</span>vertical”<span><span></span>
				</span>(53 degrees) and<span>
				</span>“one<span><span></span>
				</span>horizontal<span><span></span>
				</span>to<span><span></span>
				</span>one<span><span></span>
				</span>vertical”<span><span></span>
				</span>(45 degrees), except for the<span>
				</span>deeper south end of the excavation<span>
				</span>(nearest<span><span></span>
				</span>Whitney Drive)<span><span></span>
				</span>where the slope<span>
				</span>was<span>
				</span>nearly<span><span></span>
				</span>vertical. (T. 86-87, 468-69,<span><span></span>
				</span>481,<span><span></span>
				</span>685; Ex. C-16, C-17, C-24). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">20.</span>The segment of the subterranean trench that was excavated<span>
				</span>had a variable depth between<span>
				</span>ten<span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>twelve feet<span><span></span>
				</span>below<span><span></span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>floor of the<span>
				</span>excavation’s<span>
				</span>upper portion. (T.<span>
				</span>489,<span>
				</span>648).<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>The width at the bottom<span>
				</span>of the trench<span>
				</span>varied<span>
				</span>from<span>
				</span>about four feet at its narrowest<span>
				</span>to<span><span></span>
				</span>about ten feet at its widest. (T. 700, 724-25; Ex. R-3-b). The sidewalls were vertical or near vertical. (T. 469, 483, 648-49;<span><span></span>
				</span>Exs.<span><span></span>
				</span>C-20 &<span><span></span>
				</span>C-23).<span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>The trench bottom<span>
				</span>appears to have been<span>
				</span>less than fifty feet long. (Ex. C-20).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">21.</span>The narrow ends of the<span>
				</span>trenched lower portion<span><span></span>
				</span>(to<span><span></span>
				</span>the north and south)<span><span></span>
				</span>were about four<span><span></span>
				</span>to<span><span></span>
				</span>six<span><span></span>
				</span>feet wide. (Ex. C-23). The ends were<span><span></span>
				</span>sloped<span><span></span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>consisted of the backfill soil<span>
				</span>that had originally been deposited there<span>
				</span>to<span>
				</span>backfill the trench<span>
				</span>in<span>
				</span>1978. The backfill at the ends of the trench constituted previously disturbed soil. TKC intended the<span>
				</span>sloped<span>
				</span>ends of the<span><span></span>
				</span>trench<span>
				</span>to function as earthen ramps for employee ingress and egress. (T. 551-52). The north end did not have a consistent slope angle, and<span><span></span>
				</span>photographs establish that at least part of<span>
				</span>that slope<span><span></span>
				</span>was steeper than 45 degrees. (T. 489, 553-54; Exs. C-20, C-23). The slope<span>
				</span>angle of<span>
				</span>the south end appears from photographs to have been<span>
				</span>at least 45 degrees, possibly steeper. (Exs. C-20 & C-23; T. 489).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">22.</span>After the<span>
				</span>trench<span><span></span>
				</span>was excavated and TKC employees began working at the bottom of<span>
				</span>it, the excavator was backed up against the nearly<span><span></span>
				</span>vertical south face of the upper portion<span><span></span>
				</span>of the excavation<span>
				</span>so that the<span>
				</span>trench<span>
				</span>was<span>
				</span>directly<span>
				</span>in front of<span>
				</span>the excavator. (T. 519, 644-45; Exs. C-16, C-17, C-18, C-19, C-20, C-22, C-24, R-3, R-6; Resp’t Br. 5). The excavator’s operator<span>
				</span>then<span>
				</span>lowered a trench box<span><span></span>
				</span>that was<span><span></span>
				</span>suspended<span>
				</span>by a chain attached to the excavator’s bucket<span><span></span>
				</span>into the<span>
				</span>trench. (Ex. C-20). TKC’s purpose in<span>
				</span>doing so<span>
				</span>was to shield the employees working in the<span>
				</span>trench<span><span></span>
				</span>from effluent coming out of the broken pipe. (T. 142, 317; Ex. C-20). TKC<span>
				</span>was not using<span>
				</span>the trench box for cave-in protection. (T. 317, 353). The trench box was the property of the Town. (T. 69).<span>
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">23.</span>The<span><span></span>
				</span>Town used its 35-foot vacuum extraction tube to suction out effluent and soil from the<span>
				</span>trench<span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>into<span>
				</span>a<span>
				</span>vacuum truck. (T.<span>
				</span>68, 457,<span>
				</span>509-10, 712<span><span></span>
				</span>Exs. C-18,<span>
				</span>C-20, C-23,<span>
				</span>C-24). The two TKC employees working<span>
				</span>in the trench<span><span></span>
				</span>used hand tools to<span>
				</span>fully expose the broken pipe, shoveling<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>material<span><span></span>
				</span>toward the vacuum tube for suctioning out<span>
				</span>of the trench. (T. 91; Ex. C-20).<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>When a vacuum truck<span>
				</span>became filled, the vacuum<span>
				</span>tube<span><span></span>
				</span>would be<span><span></span>
				</span>disconnected<span>
				</span>from the truck and then<span>
				</span>attached to<span><span></span>
				</span>the other vacuum<span><span></span>
				</span>truck. (T. 713). When<span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>vacuum was turned off to<span>
				</span>make this<span>
				</span>switch,<span>
				</span>the backfill that<span>
				</span>remained in the<span>
				</span>vacuum<span>
				</span>tube<span>
				</span>would<span>
				</span>spill<span>
				</span>back into<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>trench. (T. 713-15). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">24.</span>An extension ladder was used in various locations in the excavation. (T. 87-88, 490; Exs. C-17, C-18). Town employees used the ladder when connecting the vacuum tube to a vacuum extraction truck. (T. 490). The ladder was not present in the<span>
				</span>trenched lower portion of the excavation<span><span></span>
				</span>when the TKC employees were<span>
				</span>working in<span>
				</span>it. (T. 87,<span>
				</span>93,<span>
				</span>282, 286, 490; Ex. C-20, C-23).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">25.</span>While<span><span></span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>TKC employees were working<span><span></span>
				</span>in the trench, some of the<span>
				</span>backfill from<span>
				</span>the face of the<span><span></span>
				</span>trench’s<span><span></span>
				</span>sloped<span>
				</span>north end<span><span></span>
				</span>collapsed into the<span>
				</span>trench. (T. 97, 132, 139-40). One<span><span></span>
				</span>of the employees<span>
				</span>egressed<span><span></span>
				</span>the trench by<span>
				</span>climbing up the<span>
				</span>chain from which the trench box was suspended. The<span>
				</span>backfill<span>
				</span>submerged the other employee’s feet and<span>
				</span>initially<span><span></span>
				</span>immobilized<span>
				</span>him, but he<span><span></span>
				</span>freed himself<span>
				</span>and egressed the trench<span><span></span>
				</span>by traversing the<span>
				</span>sloped<span>
				</span>face of<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>trench’s north end<span><span></span>
				</span>(the end opposite the excavator). (T. 97, 132, 139). Some of the<span>
				</span>backfill that<span>
				</span>collapsed<span>
				</span>into the<span>
				</span>trench<span><span></span>
				</span>was removed before the TKC<span><span></span>
				</span>employees reentered the<span>
				</span>trench<span><span></span>
				</span>to complete the<span><span></span>
				</span>repair. (T. 140).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">26.</span>The photograph at<span>
				</span>Exhibit C-20<span>
				</span>shows<span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>two TKC employees working in<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>trench<span><span></span>
				</span>prior to the<span>
				</span>collapse. (T.<span><span></span>
				</span>91-92, 275-76). The photograph at<span>
				</span>Exhibit C-23<span>
				</span>shows the employees<span><span></span>
				</span>working in<span>
				</span>the trench<span><span></span>
				</span>after the<span>
				</span>collapse. The<span><span></span>
				</span>photographs<span>
				</span>reflect the<span>
				</span>collapse<span>
				</span>having<span>
				</span>altered the<span>
				</span>slope<span>
				</span>angle<span>
				</span>and<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>consistency of the<span>
				</span>surface of the<span>
				</span>trench’s<span>
				</span>north end. (T.<span>
				</span>94, 96, 668-69).</p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">27.</span>TKC employees<span>
				</span>were able to<span><span></span>
				</span>enter and exit the<span>
				</span>trenched lower portion<span><span></span>
				</span>under non-emergency conditions by traversing<span><span></span>
				</span>either<span><span></span>
				</span>of the<span>
				</span>sloped ends.<span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>(T. 489-90).<span><span></span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">28.</span>The sandy<span><span></span>
				</span>backfill of<span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>ends<span><span></span>
				</span>of the trench<span>
				</span>gave way<span>
				</span>and slid down the<span>
				</span>face of the slope<span>
				</span>when<span>
				</span>employees traversed it<span>
				</span>while<span><span></span>
				</span>entering<span><span></span>
				</span>and exiting. (T. 489, 552-53). Soil<span><span></span>
				</span>that<span>
				</span>spilled<span><span></span>
				</span>from<span><span></span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>vacuum tube<span>
				</span>added<span><span></span>
				</span>more<span>
				</span>loose granular<span>
				</span>material to the<span>
				</span>north end, as did the collapse of<span>
				</span>backfill from that end. (T.<span><span></span>
				</span>96,<span><span></span>
				</span>489,<span>
				</span>698-99; Ex. C-20, C-23).<span><span></span>
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">29.</span>After the repair was complete, TKC backfilled the<span>
				</span>trench<span><span></span>
				</span>with<span>
				</span>the previously excavated<span>
				</span>material. (T. 137-38). The Town<span><span></span>
				</span>then<span><span></span>
				</span>backfilled the<span>
				</span>remainder of the excavation,<span><span></span>
				</span>finishing<span>
				</span>after<span><span></span>
				</span>midnight<span>
				</span>(in the early morning hours of Sunday,<span>
				</span>September 23, 2018). (T. 137-38;<span>
				</span>Exs. C-14<span><span></span>
				</span>&<span><span></span>
				</span>C-15).<span>
				</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">The OSHA Inspection</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">30.</span>On Sunday, September 23, 2018,<span>
				</span>OSHA<span>
				</span>Compliance Officer (CO) Andy Reed<span>
				</span>viewed<span><span></span>
				</span>a photograph of<span>
				</span>TKC’s<span>
				</span>sewer repair<span>
				</span>on<span>
				</span>a<span>
				</span>social media news feed. (T. 167). He<span>
				</span>suspected the<span>
				</span>photograph<span><span></span>
				</span>depicted workers in an excavation without adequate cave-in protection, so he<span><span></span>
				</span>forwarded the photograph to<span><span></span>
				</span>his area office’s<span><span></span>
				</span>acting area director (AD<span>
				</span>Amy Phillips). (T. 167, 181). </p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">31.</span>Within an hour of receiving the photograph,<span>
				</span>AD<span><span></span>
				</span>Phillips<span>
				</span>traveled to the<span>
				</span>Worksite<span><span></span>
				</span>to find<span>
				</span>the<span>
				</span>excavation<span><span></span>
				</span>closed and no workers<span>
				</span>present. (T. 182-83; Ex. C-14).<span>
				</span><span><span></span>
				</span>AD Phillips<span>
				</span>spoke with<span>
				</span>the owner<span>
				</span>of the residence at 815 Trottingham Drive, who later provided<span>
				</span>her<span><span></span>
				</span>with<span>
				</span>photographs<span>
				</span>the owner<span><span></span>
				</span>had taken<span><span></span>
				</span>when the excavation was open. (T.<span>
				</span>150-53, 157-58,<span>
				</span>187-88, 184-87, 227-28; Ex. C-14, C-15,<span><span></span>
				</span>Ex.<span>
				</span>C-16,<span>
				</span>C-17, C-18, C-19). AD Phillips<span>
				</span>instructed<span>
				</span>CO Brian<span>
				</span>Engelmann<span><span></span>
				</span>to conduct an inspection and investigation, and<span>
				</span>he formally<span>
				</span>opened an inspection at TKC’s office on September 25, 2018. (T.<span>
				</span>191,<span>
				</span>272, 405).<span>
				</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">DISCUSSION</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:6px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Commission<span>
					</span>has<span><span></span>
					</span>jurisdiction under section 10(c) of the Act.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>29 U.S.C. § 659(c).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>TKC<span><span></span>
					</span>has employees and is engaged in<span style="letter-spacing:.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>a<span style="letter-spacing:.012cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>business<span style="letter-spacing:.012cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>affecting<span style="letter-spacing:.012cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>commerce. TKC<span><span></span>
					</span>is thus an “employer”<span>
					</span>as defined by section<span>
					</span>3(5) of the Act. An employer, as defined by the Act,<span><span></span>
					</span>must comply with<span>
					</span>applicable<span>
					</span>occupational safety and health standards promulgated under the Act.<span style="letter-spacing:.025cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="letter-spacing:.025cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>29<span style="letter-spacing:.012cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>U.S.C.<span><span></span>
					</span>§§ 652(5)<span><span></span>
					</span>& 654(a)(2).<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The two citation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">items allege violations of safety standards promulgated pursuant to section 6(b) of the Act.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">29 U.S.C. § 655(b).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">To establish a violation of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">such a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>standard, the Secretary must show by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the cited standard applies; (2) there was noncompliance with its terms; (3) employees</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were exposed to or</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>had access to the violative conditions; and (4) the employer had actual or constructive knowledge of those conditions. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Donahue Indus. Inc.,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>20 BNA OSHC 1346, 1348 (No. 99-0191, 2003)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">;</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Atl. Battery Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 16 BNA OSHC 2131, 2138 (No. 90- 1747,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:.072cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1994)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Citation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Item 1 –<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Section 19</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">26.651(c)(2)</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>–<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Safe e</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">gress</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Item 1<span><span></span>
					</span>alleges a violation of § 1926.651(c)(2), which provides:<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:12px; margin-bottom:0px; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; ">(c)<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Access and egress</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">––</span>(1)<span><span></span>
					</span>. . ..<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:12px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; ">(2)<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Means of egress from trench excavations.</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; ">TKC<span>
					</span>argues<span>
					</span>that the earthen sloped faces of the two ends of the trench constituted ramps that met the requirements of the standard. This argument is rejected. The Secretary proved by a preponderance of the evidence that the earthen sloped ends of the trench were inadequate to provide reliably safe means of egress in emergency conditions.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Defined terms<span><span></span>
					</span>relevant to the analysis<span>
					</span>are<span>
					</span>set forth in<span>
					</span>§ 1926.650(b) of the<span><span></span>
					</span>Excavations standard<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>are<span>
					</span>as follows: </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Excavation<span>
						</span></span>means any man-made cut,<span><span></span>
					</span>cavity, trench, or depression in an<span><span></span>
					</span>earth surface, formed by earth removal.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Trench</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Trench excavation) means a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth is greater than the width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet...<span><span></span>
					</span>.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Ramp</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>means an inclined walking or working surface that is used to gain access to one point from another, and is constructed from earth or from structural materials such as steel or wood. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Faces<span>
						</span></span>or<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sides<span>
						</span></span>means the vertical or inclined earth surfaces formed as a result of excavation work.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; ">Applicability of</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Standard</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Section 1926.652(c)(2) requires<span>
					</span>an employer to provide<span>
					</span>a safe means of egress<span>
					</span>for employees working in<span><span></span>
					</span>trench<span><span></span>
					</span>excavations<span><span></span>
					</span>four feet<span>
					</span>or more in depth. The<span><span></span>
					</span>standard applies regardless whether<span>
					</span>the top of trench<span>
					</span>is<span><span></span>
					</span>at the earth’s surface or<span>
					</span>below the earth’s surface<span>
					</span>within a<span><span></span>
					</span>larger<span><span></span>
					</span>excavation.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The<span><span></span>
					</span>trench<span>
					</span>here,<span>
					</span>dug on the floor of the upper excavation,<span><span></span>
					</span>falls within the Excavation standard’s<span>
					</span>definition<span>
					</span>of<span>
					</span>“trench.”<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>This<span>
					</span>is consistent with<span>
					</span>examples set forth in Appendix B, Figure B-1,<span><span></span>
					</span>of the<span>
					</span>Excavations standard,<span>
					</span>which<span><span></span>
					</span>reflect<span>
					</span>sloping<span><span></span>
					</span>systems for<span><span></span>
					</span>excavations whose<span>
					</span>faces<span><span></span>
					</span>have multiple slope angles,<span>
					</span>including<span>
					</span>excavations with<span><span></span>
					</span>“vertically sided lower<span>
					</span>portions”<span><span></span>
					</span>like the<span><span></span>
					</span>trenched<span>
					</span>lower portion of the excavation here.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The cited standard applies<span><span></span>
					</span>to the trench<span>
					</span>that THC<span>
					</span>dug<span>
					</span>within<span>
					</span>the excavation<span><span></span>
					</span>(i.e., below the earth’s surface).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>TKC does not contend otherwise.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; ">Non-compliance with</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Standard</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The purpose of<span>
					</span>§ 1926.651(c)(2)<span><span></span>
					</span>is to “provide employees working down in a trench with a safe means of escape from the trench in case of an emergency.”<span>
					</span><div><img style="" alt="Ink 4" height="NaN" width="NaN" align="bottom" xmlns="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships"/></div><img alt="image" style="width:2px; height:2px; left:13.6cm; z-index:1751658242; " src="Decision.TKC.Final.09.15.2020_files/image2_0.png"></img><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">E.R. Zeiler Excavating, Inc.</span>, 24 BNA OSHC 2050,<span>
					</span>2057<span><span></span>
					</span>(No. 10-0610, 2014)<span><span></span>
					</span>citing<span><span></span>
					</span>Occupational Safety and Health Standards—Excavations, 54 Fed. Reg. 45894, 45918 (Oct.<span>
					</span>31, 1989) (to be codified at 29 C.F.R. pt. 1926). Such emergencies<span>
					</span>“are not limited to cave-ins, but can include fires, medical emergencies, and flooding.” <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span>,<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>citing<span><span></span>
					</span>Occupational Safety and Health Standards; Excavations, 52 Fed. Reg. 12288, 12293 (proposed<span>
					</span>April 15, 1987) (to be codified at 29 C.F.R. pt. 1926).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">As noted above,<span>
					</span>TKC contends that<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>sloped<span>
					</span>ends<span>
					</span>of the<span>
					</span>trench<span><span></span>
					</span>were<span>
					</span>ramps<span><span></span>
					</span>that provided<span>
					</span>safe means of<span><span></span>
					</span>egress. An<span>
					</span>earthen<span><span></span>
					</span>ramp’s condition<span><span></span>
					</span>is relevant to determining its adequacy as a<span>
					</span>safe<span>
					</span>means of<span><span></span>
					</span>egress<span><span></span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>an emergency. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Joe Richter, Contractor, Inc.</span>, 5 BNA OSHC 2072,<span>
					</span>2078<span><span></span>
					</span>(applying<span>
					</span>former standard 29 C.F.R.<span>
					</span>§<span>
					</span>1926.652(h) (1975), which required<span>
					</span>employers to provide<span>
					</span>“an adequate means of exit”<span><span></span>
					</span>for employees working in<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>trench four feet or more in depth,<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>stating that the egress “must be adequate for emergency escape as well as routine egress from the trench” and that<span>
					</span>“when determining the adequacy of an earth ramp as a means of egress the condition of the ramp and its accessibility, as well as its slope, must be considered”).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span>
					</span>soil at both ends of the<span>
					</span>trench<span><span></span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>previously disturbed soil and thus was<span>
					</span>either Type B or Type C soil.<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref3" href="#ftn3">2</a></span> The<span>
					</span>surface<span>
					</span>of the<span>
					</span>trench’s sloped<span>
					</span>ends<span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>granular<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>soft––not<span>
					</span>conducive to<span>
					</span>reliably providing<span>
					</span>solid footing<span><span></span>
					</span>in an emergency. Tom Kubricky described the soil as<span>
					</span>sliding<span><span></span>
					</span>down<span>
					</span>the slope when a worker traversed it<span>
					</span>for<span><span></span>
					</span>routine ingress and egress. (T.<span><span></span>
					</span>489-90).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The surface of the north end<span><span></span>
					</span>became<span>
					</span>even<span>
					</span>more unstable<span>
					</span>(a)<span>
					</span>from<span>
					</span>backfill that<span>
					</span>spilled out of the vacuum tube<span>
					</span>into the egress area,<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>(b)<span>
					</span>from<span>
					</span>backfill<span><span></span>
					</span>that had<span>
					</span>collapsed<span>
					</span>into<span>
					</span>the trench on that<span>
					</span>end.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Findings of Fact ¶¶ 23, 25, 28).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Egress via the sloped south face of the trench was partially obstructed by the excavator being positioned at the top of the<span>
					</span>trench’s<span>
					</span>south end. (Findings of Fact, ¶<span><span></span>
					</span>22; Ex. C-20). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Neither end<span><span></span>
					</span>of the trench<span><span></span>
					</span>had a consistent<span><span></span>
					</span>slope<span>
					</span>angle. (Findings of Fact, ¶<span><span></span>
					</span>21). <span><span></span>
					</span>(Ex. C-20). The<span>
					</span>lower<span><span></span>
					</span>part<span><span></span>
					</span>of the north end’s face<span>
					</span>before the<span>
					</span>backfill<span>
					</span>collapsed<span>
					</span>appears<span>
					</span>to be<span>
					</span>steeper<span><span></span>
					</span>than the<span>
					</span>upper<span>
					</span>part<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>most likely<span>
					</span>steeper<span>
					</span>than 45 degrees. (<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Compare</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Ex. C-20<span><span></span>
					</span>with Ex.<span><span></span>
					</span>C-23). When<span><span></span>
					</span>backfill<span>
					</span>collapsed<span><span></span>
					</span>into the trench<span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>the employees needed to egress<span><span></span>
					</span>quickly<span><span></span>
					</span>(since they could not know whether there would be more<span>
					</span>backfill<span>
					</span>collapsing into the trench)<span><span></span>
					</span>one<span>
					</span>employee<span><span></span>
					</span>became<span>
					</span>temporarily immobilized in the material.<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref4" href="#ftn4">3</a></span> After freeing<span><span></span>
					</span>himself,<span><span></span>
					</span>he<span>
					</span>egressed by traversing<span>
					</span>some of<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>material that had<span>
					</span>collapsed<span><span></span>
					</span>into the trench’s<span>
					</span>north end. The<span>
					</span>other<span>
					</span>employee<span><span></span>
					</span>egressed by<span>
					</span>climbing<span><span></span>
					</span>up the chain<span>
					</span>from which the trench box<span><span></span>
					</span>was suspended<span><span></span>
					</span>inside the trench. (Findings of Fact ¶<span><span></span>
					</span>25). The<span>
					</span>way<span><span></span>
					</span>the two<span><span></span>
					</span>employees<span>
					</span>egressed<span>
					</span>after the collapse<span><span></span>
					</span>demonstrates<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>deficiency of the<span>
					</span>trench’s<span>
					</span>earthen<span>
					</span>north and south<span>
					</span>faces<span>
					</span>in providing<span>
					</span>a reliably<span>
					</span>safe<span>
					</span>means of<span>
					</span>egress<span><span></span>
					</span>in an emergency situation. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span>
					</span>sloped earthen<span>
					</span>ends of the<span>
					</span>trench<span>
					</span>were inadequate to provide<span>
					</span>safe egress<span><span></span>
					</span>in an emergency situation<span><span></span>
					</span>due to their<span><span></span>
					</span>uneven, soft, and granular surface,<span>
					</span>irregular<span>
					</span>slope<span><span></span>
					</span>angles, and<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>obstruction<span>
					</span>created<span>
					</span>by the<span>
					</span>position of the<span>
					</span>excavator<span><span></span>
					</span>at the south end. The Secretary established that<span>
					</span>TKC<span>
					</span>did not<span>
					</span>comply with the safe egress requirement of § 1926.651(c)(2).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; ">Employee Exposure</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:6px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Two TKC employees, Forrest Kubricky and Bob Zabielski, worked<span><span></span>
					</span>for more than two hours<span><span></span>
					</span>in the<span>
					</span>trench without<span><span></span>
					</span>safe means of<span>
					</span>emergency<span>
					</span>egress. (T. 488-89). TKC’s president, Tom Kubricky,<span>
					</span>was also exposed to this hazardous condition when<span><span></span>
					</span>he<span>
					</span>trekked to the bottom of the<span>
					</span>trench. The<span>
					</span>TKC employees were exposed to the<span>
					</span>violative condition. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; ">Employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; ">Knowledge</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Secretary must prove the employer either knew, or with the exercise of reasonable diligence could have known, of the violative condition.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Revoli Constr. Co</span>., 19 BNA OSHC 1682, 1684 (No. 00-0315, 2001).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The employer’s knowledge is directed to the physical condition that constitutes a violation.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Phoenix Roofing, Inc</span>., 17 BNA OSHC 1076, 1079-1080 (No. 90-2148,<span>
					</span>1995) (citations omitted)<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">aff’d,</span><span><span></span>
					</span>79 F.3d 1146 (5th Cir. 1996). Knowledge may be imputed to the employer “through its supervisory employee.” <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Am. Eng’g & Dev. Corp</span>., 23 BNA OSHC 2093, 2095 (No. 10-0359, 2012)<span>
					</span>quoting<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Access Equip. Sys</span>., 21 BNA OSHC 1400, 1401 (No. 03-1351, 2006).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Tom Kubricky was at the worksite directing the work. He<span>
					</span>knew that TKC employees were working in the<span>
					</span>trench,<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>he<span>
					</span>had actual knowledge of<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>condition of<span>
					</span>its sloped ends,<span>
					</span>having<span>
					</span>entered<span><span></span>
					</span>the trench himself<span><span></span>
					</span>via the north end. (T. 488-89). (Findings of Fact ¶<span><span></span>
					</span>14). As TKC’s<span><span></span>
					</span>president<span><span></span>
					</span>and onsite supervisory employee, his actual knowledge<span><span></span>
					</span>of the violative condition<span><span></span>
					</span>is imputed to TKC.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Citation item 1 is affirmed. The Secretary proved the cited standard was applicable, the requirements of the cited standard were not met, TKC’s employees were exposed<span><span></span>
					</span>to the violative condition,<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>TKC<span>
					</span>had<span><span></span>
					</span>knowledge of the<span>
					</span>violative<span>
					</span>condition.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Citation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Item<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">2</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>–<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Section 19</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">26</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">652</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">(</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">a</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">)</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; 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:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>– Protection</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from cave-ins</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Item<span>
					</span>2, as amended,<span><span></span>
					</span>alleges a violation of<span>
					</span>29 C.F.R. § 1926.652(a)(1), which provides:</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; ">(a)<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Protection of employees in excavations.</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(1) Each employee in an excavation shall be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of this section except when:</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.318cm; margin-right:96px; ">(i) Excavations are made entirely in stable rock; or</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; ">(ii) Excavations are less than 5 feet (1.52m) in depth and examination of the ground by a competent person provides no indication of a potential cave-in.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The term<span><span></span>
					</span>“protective system”<span><span></span>
					</span>is<span>
					</span>defined<span>
					</span>in § 1926.650(b)<span>
					</span>as follows:<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Protective system</span><span><span></span>
					</span>means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins, from material that could fall or roll from an excavation face or into an excavation, or from the collapse of adjacent structures. Protective systems include support systems, sloping and benching systems, shield systems, and other systems that provide the necessary protection.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The terms<span><span></span>
					</span>“sloping system”<span>
					</span>and “benching system” are<span>
					</span>defined<span>
					</span>in § 1926.650(b)<span>
					</span>as<span>
					</span>follows:<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Sloping</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Sloping system) means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by excavating to form sides of an excavation that are inclined away from the excavation so as to prevent cave-ins. The angle of incline required to prevent a cave-in varies with differences in such factors as the soil type, environmental conditions of exposure, and application of surcharge loads.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:5.333px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Benching</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Benching system) means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps, usually with vertical or near-vertical surfaces between levels.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span><span></span>
					</span>Secretary<span><span></span>
					</span>alleges<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>excavation lacked an adequate<span>
					</span>protective system. The Secretary’s theory of<span>
					</span>non-compliance<span>
					</span>is that the excavation was more than 20 feet deep<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>its sloping system was not designed by a<span>
					</span>registered professional engineer. Consequently, the excavation<span><span></span>
					</span>did<span>
					</span>not<span>
					</span>meet<span><span></span>
					</span>with the<span>
					</span>requirement of the Excavations<span>
					</span>standard that any<span><span></span>
					</span>excavation deeper than 20 feet be designed by a registered professional engineer.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">TKC’s theory of<span>
					</span>compliance<span><span></span>
					</span>is that the upper portion of the excavation and the trenched lower portion were<span><span></span>
					</span>separate and distinct<span>
					</span>excavations, each<span>
					</span>less than<span>
					</span>20 feet deep, and<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>the separate<span>
					</span>excavations<span><span></span>
					</span>each<span>
					</span>met<span><span></span>
					</span>the technical requirements of<span>
					</span>§ 1926.652(b)(2)<span><span></span>
					</span>(Option 2)<span>
					</span>for<span>
					</span>excavations<span>
					</span>no deeper than 20 feet.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; ">Applicability of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; ">the</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Standard</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Unless<span>
					</span>one of the<span>
					</span>exceptions set forth in subparagraphs (i) or (ii) of § 1926.652(a)(1) applies, an employer must provide a protective system for its employees working in any excavation.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>TKC does not contend that the exception of subparagraph (ii) has any application to any portion of the excavation here. But consistent with<span>
					</span>its “two<span><span></span>
					</span>excavations”<span>
					</span>approach, TKC contends that no<span><span></span>
					</span>protective system was required for the<span>
					</span>trenched lower portion<span><span></span>
					</span>because it<span>
					</span>meets<span><span></span>
					</span>the “stable rock” exception of subparagraph (i). (Resp’t Br. [revised] 5). This argument is rejected. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The term “stable rock” is defined in pertinent part to mean “natural solid mineral material that can be excavated with vertical sides and will remain intact while exposed....” § 1926.650(b). The soil at the sloped ends of the trench<span>
					</span>was sandy and non-cohesive––it slid down the face when workers traversed it to enter and exit the trench. (T. 489;<span><span></span>
					</span>Resp’t Rebuttal Br. 6). The<span>
					</span>sloped ends of the<span>
					</span>trench<span><span></span>
					</span>failed to “remain intact while exposed,”<span><span></span>
					</span>conclusively establishing that<span>
					</span>the trench was not<span><span></span>
					</span>“made entirely<span>
					</span>in<span><span></span>
					</span>stable rock” as the exception<span>
					</span>requires. The<span><span></span>
					</span>trenched lower portion<span><span></span>
					</span>does not meet the requirements of the “stable rock”<span>
					</span>exception of<span>
					</span>§ 1926.652(a)(1)(i). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; ">Non-compliance with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; ">the Standard</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Permissible<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Sloping or Benching Systems under §</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1926.652(b)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Paragraph (b) of § 1926.652<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">specifies<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">four options<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">for the design of sloping or benching systems that would<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">meet the requirement of paragraph (a) to provide an adequate protective system.</span><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref5" href="#ftn5">4</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Two</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">excavation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>Approach</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">As noted above,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">TKC’s theory of compliance is that the sloping system of the excavation’s upper portion met<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Appendix B’s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>requirements for excavations no deeper than 20 feet, and that the trenched lower portion<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">met Appendix B’s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sloping requirements for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“stable rock” for excavations no deeper than 20 feet. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">TKC’s<span><span></span>
					</span>“two<span><span></span>
					</span>excavations”<span><span></span>
					</span>approach<span><span></span>
					</span>is rejected. Rather, the<span>
					</span>greater<span><span></span>
					</span>excavation must be regarded as a single excavation for purposes of determining<span>
					</span>whether it conforms to the technical<span>
					</span>sloping or benching requirements of<span>
					</span>§ 1926.652(b). And because the greater excavation is deeper than 20 feet,<span>
					</span>§ 1926.652(b)<span>
					</span>does not permit layered portions of the excavation to be independently assessed against the technical requirements for sloping or benching systems under § 1926.652(b)(2) (Option 2). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The plain text of the Excavations standard does not permit the application of the standard in the manner that TKC argues. The standard defines the term “excavation” to be “any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in an earth surface, formed by earth removal.” § 1926.650(b). Here, there were not two openings into the earth’s surface. Rather,<span>
					</span>there was a single excavated opening<span>
					</span>that had a<span>
					</span>top-to-bottom vertical depth<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>varied from<span>
					</span>about<span>
					</span>20 to 27 feet. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In the standard’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Appendix A,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">titled “Soil Classification,”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">addresses excavations<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">layered<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">soils</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The term “layered system” is defined in paragraph (b) of Appendix A in relevant part as follows: “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Layered system</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>means two or more distinctly different soil or rock types arranged in layers....”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Paragraph (c)(4)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">allows for individual classification of soils in layered systems under certain limited circumstances,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">provid</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ing as follows</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">: “In a layered system, the system shall be classified in accordance with its weakest layer. However, each layer may be classified individually where a more stable layer lies under a less stable layer.”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">he standard’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Appendix B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">titled “Sloping and Benching,”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">paragraph<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">provides: “(4)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Configuration</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Configurations of sloping</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">and benching systems shall be in accordance</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">with Figure B-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> Figure B–1<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">includes</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Figure<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">–</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1.4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">which is captioned</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Excavations Made in Layered Soils</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Figure B–1.4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>provides examples<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">excavations in layered soils<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">compl</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">y</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with paragraph (c</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(4) of Appendix A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">declaim</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>first that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">[a]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ll excavations<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">20 feet or less in depth</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>made in layered soils shall have a maximum allowable</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">slope for each layer as set forth below</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">mphasis added)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, and then conclud</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that “[a]ll other sloped excavations shall be in accordance with the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">other options permitted<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">in § 1926.652(b)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Thus, although<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">under paragraph (c)(4) of Appendix A<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">individual classification of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">layered soils</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">may<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">under certain circumstances<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">be permitted<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">for purposes of compliance with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">technical<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sloping requirements</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of § 1926.652(b)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">under Figure B–</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of Appendix B<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">such individual classification</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">of layered soils</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is not permitted for</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">excavation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">deeper than</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>20 feet</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">E</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ven if the Excavations standard allowed the “two excavations” approach that TKC argues, neither the wide upper portion nor the trenched lower portion would me</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">t the technical requirements of any of the four options permitted by § 1926.652(b)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, as discussed below</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Option 1<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">–</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">–</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">§ 1926.652(b)(1)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Option 1<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">is set forth in</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>§ 1926.652(b</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(1) and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>requires an excavation to be sloped no<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">steeper</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>than 34 degrees (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">one-half</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>horizontal</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to one</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>vertical)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">and according to the configurations set forth in Appendix B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref6" href="#ftn6">5</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">TKC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">does not contend that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">any of the faces of the excavation were<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">as flat as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Option 1 requires</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(34 degrees)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In any event</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s set forth in</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the excavation standard’s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Appendix B,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Figure<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">–</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1.3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">captioned</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Excavations Made in Type C Soil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">),</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">paragraph 1<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">thereof<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">provides that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the 34 degree slope permitted by Option 1 pertains only to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">excavations</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">20 feet or less in depth,”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">and paragraph 3<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">thereof<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">provides that</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“[</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ll other<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sloped<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">excavations<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">shall be<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">acco</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">rdance with the other options permitt</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">d in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">§ 1926.652(b)”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(i.e., Options 2, 3 or 4)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. Pt. 1926,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Subpt. P, App. B, Table<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">B-1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Figure B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">–</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1.3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, paras</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1 and 3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Figure B–1.3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">in Appendix B<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">reflects</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>OSHA’s stated intent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>articulated in</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the preamble to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">E</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">xcavations standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">o</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“require<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the expertise of an engineer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">in all cases</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">” involving excavations<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">deeper than 20 feet. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">54 Fed. Reg. at 4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">902</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(emphasis</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>added</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The standard’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ppendix F, titled “Selection of Protective Systems,” als</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">o<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">articulat</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">es</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ntent,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">stating as follows</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">: “Protective systems for excavations more than 20 feet in depth must be designed by a registered professional engineer in accordance with §</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1926.652(b) and (c)." </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">he excavation did not meet Option 1’s requirements for a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">protective<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sloping or benching<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">system.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Option<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>-- § 1926.652(b)(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Option 2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>requires<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">an</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">employer to configure sloping according to soil type<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">as set forth in Appendix<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and the degree of slope for that soil type<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">as set forth in Appendix<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref7" href="#ftn7">6</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Appendix B’s paragraph (c)(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">2)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>provides that the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">maximum allowable slope for a soil or rock deposit shall be determined from Table B–1 of this Appendix.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Table B-1 is titled “Maximum Allowable Slopes.”</span><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref8" href="#ftn8">7</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">By its terms,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Table<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">–1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">provides slope angles for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">excavations “less than 20 feet deep</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s set forth in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">footnote 3 to Table B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">–1,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the “sloping or benching for excavations greater than 20<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">feet shall be designed by a registered professional engineer</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.”</span><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref9" href="#ftn9">8</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> Table B–1 provides</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in its entirety</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as follows:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:center; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">TABLE B-1</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; text-align:center; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SLOPES</span></p>
			</div>
			<table class="style_TableGrid" style="border-collapse:collapse; width:auto; align:left; margin-left:1.864cm; margin-bottom:0cm">
				<tr style="margin:0;border:0;padding:0;visibility:hidden;">
					<th style="width:210px;"/>
					<th style="width:258px;"/>
				</tr>
				<tr>
					<td class=" TableGrid_band1Vert" style="vertical-align:top;border-left:solid .018cm #000000; border-right:solid .018cm #000000; border-top:solid .018cm #000000; border-bottom:solid .018cm #000000; width:5.556cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:23.067px; margin-right:11.533px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">SOIL OR ROCK TYPE</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td class=" TableGrid_band1Horz" style="vertical-align:top;border-left:solid .018cm #000000; border-right:solid .018cm #000000; border-top:solid .018cm #000000; border-bottom:solid .018cm #000000; width:6.826cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:4.8px; margin-right:4.8px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SLOPES (H:V)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; ">[</span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; ">1</span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; ">]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">FOR EXCAVATIONS LESS THAN 20 FEET DEEP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; ">[</span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; ">3</span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; ">]</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr>
					<td class=" TableGrid_band1Vert" style="vertical-align:top;border-left:solid .018cm #000000; border-right:solid .018cm #000000; border-top:solid .018cm #000000; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:5.556cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:23.067px; margin-right:11.533px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">STABLE ROCK</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td style="vertical-align:top;border-left:solid .018cm #000000; border-right:solid .018cm #000000; border-top:solid .018cm #000000; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:6.826cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:4.8px; margin-right:4.8px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">VERTICAL (90o)</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr>
					<td class=" TableGrid_band1Vert" style="vertical-align:top;border-left:solid .018cm #000000; border-right:solid .018cm #000000; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:5.556cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-left:22.733px; margin-right:11.067px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">TYPE A<span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; ">[</span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; ">2</span><span style="font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:14pt; font-weight:bold; ">]</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td class=" TableGrid_band1Horz" style="vertical-align:top;border-left:solid .018cm #000000; border-right:solid .018cm #000000; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:6.826cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-left:5.067px; margin-right:5.133px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">3/4:1<span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
								</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(53o)</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr>
					<td class=" TableGrid_band1Vert" style="vertical-align:top;border-left:solid .018cm #000000; border-right:solid .018cm #000000; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:5.556cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-left:22.733px; margin-right:11.067px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">TYPE B</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td style="vertical-align:top;border-left:solid .018cm #000000; border-right:solid .018cm #000000; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:6.826cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-left:4.8px; margin-right:4.8px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1:1<span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
								</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(45o)</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr>
					<td class=" TableGrid_band1Vert" style="vertical-align:top;border-left:solid .018cm #000000; border-right:solid .018cm #000000; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:solid .018cm #000000; width:5.556cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:23.067px; margin-right:11.533px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">TYPE C</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td class=" TableGrid_band1Horz" style="vertical-align:top;border-left:solid .018cm #000000; border-right:solid .018cm #000000; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:solid .018cm #000000; width:6.826cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-left:5.067px; margin-right:5.133px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">11⁄2:1<span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
								</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(34o)</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
			</table>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">NOTES</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">:</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:120px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:120px; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:96px; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; padding-right:20px;">1.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Numbers shown in parentheses next to maximum allowable slopes are angles expressed in degrees from the horizontal.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Angles have been rounded off.</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:120px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; margin-left:120px; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:96px; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; padding-right:20px;">2.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A short-term maximum allowable slope of 1/2H:1V (63o) is allowed in excavations in Type A soil that are 12 feet (3.67 m) or less in depth.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Short-term maximum allowable slopes for excavations greater than 12 feet (3.67 m) in depth shall be 3/4H:1V (53o).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:120px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-left:120px; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:96px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; padding-right:20px;">3.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Sloping or benching for excavations greater than 20 feet deep shall be designed by a registered professional engineer.</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. Pt. 1926, Subpt. P, App. B, Table B-1. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">TKC<span>
					</span>suggests that Matthew<span><span></span>
					</span>Yetto, the Town’s Superintendent of Water and Sewer,<span><span></span>
					</span>is a registered professional engineer and that his involvement in the<span>
					</span>sewer<span>
					</span>repair met<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>standard’s<span>
					</span>requirement<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>a registered professional engineer<span>
					</span>design<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>sloping or benching<span>
					</span>systems<span>
					</span>for excavations<span>
					</span>deeper<span><span></span>
					</span>than 20 feet. (Resp’t Br. [revised] 4; Resp’t Rebuttal Br. 1-2).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Tom Kubricky testified that he believed Mr. Yetto was a registered professional engineer<span>
					</span>(T. 455-56), although<span>
					</span>he<span><span></span>
					</span>did<span><span></span>
					</span>not<span>
					</span>explain<span>
					</span>how he came to understand this. Mr. Yetto testified as part of the Secretary’s case in chief, and no one elicited any testimony from him respecting his<span>
					</span>educational background or<span>
					</span>professional credentials. Also, no one elicited any testimony from him about<span>
					</span>whether he had a role in the design of the excavation’s protective system. Nevertheless, for purposes of analysis Mr. Yetto will be regarding as being a registered professional engineer in the state of New York.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Nothing in<span>
					</span>Mr.<span>
					</span>Yetto’s testimony<span><span></span>
					</span>suggests<span><span></span>
					</span>that he<span>
					</span>assisted<span><span></span>
					</span>TKC<span>
					</span>in devising an<span><span></span>
					</span>adequate protective system.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Rather, Yetto testified affirmatively that the Town did not provide TKC with any plans (T.<span>
					</span>97), and Mr. Kubricky corroborated that<span><span></span>
					</span>testimony.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(T. 456). Mr. Kubricky testified that TKC dug the excavation to conform to OSHA<span>
					</span>requirements<span>
					</span>as he understood<span>
					</span>them<span>
					</span>after decades of professional experience in<span>
					</span>excavating. (T. 598-99).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Mr. Yetto did not<span>
					</span>design the excavation,<span><span></span>
					</span>provide an excavation plan to TKC,<span>
					</span>or approve TKC’s scheme for a protective system,<span>
					</span>either orally or in writing. (Findings of Fact<span><span></span>
					</span>¶ 10). The excavation,<span><span></span>
					</span>not having been designed by a registered professional engineer,<span>
					</span>did not<span>
					</span>meet<span>
					</span>Option<span>
					</span>2’s requirements for a protective system<span><span></span>
					</span>for excavations deeper than 20 feet. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Returning to TKC’s “two<span><span></span>
					</span>excavations”<span><span></span>
					</span>approach, neither the upper<span><span></span>
					</span>portion<span><span></span>
					</span>nor lower<span>
					</span>trenched<span><span></span>
					</span>portion of the excavation, if assessed against the requirements of Option 2<span><span></span>
					</span>as separate excavations not deeper than 20 feet,<span><span></span>
					</span>would meet<span>
					</span>Option 2’s<span>
					</span>technical<span>
					</span>requirements. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">As regards the upper portion,<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>two long faces that paralleled the path of the sewer lines<span><span></span>
					</span>shall be<span>
					</span>deemed<span><span></span>
					</span>as having<span><span></span>
					</span>been constituted<span>
					</span>of Type A soil and to have been sloped<span>
					</span>no steeper than<span>
					</span>53 degrees.<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref10" href="#ftn10">9</a></span> Accordingly, those<span>
					</span>faces of the upper portion<span>
					</span>would be<span><span></span>
					</span>deemed to have<span><span></span>
					</span>conformed to the<span>
					</span>requirements of Table B-1<span><span></span>
					</span>for<span>
					</span>excavations no deeper than 20 feet in Type A soil. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">However,<span>
					</span>TKC acknowledges that<span>
					</span>the soil at the<span>
					</span>south and north<span>
					</span>ends of the upper portion were constituted of previously disturbed soil (at the south end,<span>
					</span>with the<span>
					</span>backfill from the<span>
					</span>1978 excavation;<span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>at the north end,<span>
					</span>with the<span>
					</span>backfill from the 2012 excavation).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Resp’t Rebuttal Br. 6, citing T. 466-67). Thus,<span>
					</span>the soil on those ends had to have been either Type B or Type C soil<span><span></span>
					</span>because it was previously disturbed. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Appendix A of the Excavations standard, paragraph<span><span></span>
					</span>(b)<span><span></span>
					</span>(defining Type B soil to include<span>
					</span>“[p]reviously disturbed soils<span>
					</span>except those<span>
					</span>which<span><span></span>
					</span>would otherwise<span>
					</span>be<span>
					</span>classified as Type C soil.”). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">For purposes of this analysis, the soil at the north and south ends of the upper portion will be<span>
					</span>deemed to<span><span></span>
					</span>have been Type B soil. Table B-1 of Appendix B<span><span></span>
					</span>requires<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>slope<span><span></span>
					</span>of an excavation<span>
					</span>no deeper than 20 feet<span>
					</span>in Type B soil to be no steeper than 45 degrees. Tom Kubricky<span><span></span>
					</span>testified<span>
					</span>generally<span>
					</span>that the sides of the upper portion were sloped between 45 and 53 degrees (T. 468),<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>TKC<span><span></span>
					</span>argues that the slope of the north end<span>
					</span>“appear[s]<span><span></span>
					</span>to be<span>
					</span>about” 45 degrees based on the photograph at Exhibit C-24.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Resp’t Br.<span>
					</span>[revised]<span><span></span>
					</span>5).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Even though there was no testimony regarding the slope<span>
					</span>angle<span>
					</span>of the<span>
					</span>north end,<span>
					</span>for purposes of analysis<span>
					</span>it is deemed<span>
					</span>to have been no steeper than 45 degrees and<span>
					</span>thus<span>
					</span>would<span><span></span>
					</span>have conformed to the sloping requirement<span>
					</span>prescribed by<span>
					</span>Table B-1<span><span></span>
					</span>for excavations<span>
					</span>in Type B soil<span>
					</span>no deeper than 20 feet.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">TKC acknowledges that the slope of the<span>
					</span>previously disturbed<span>
					</span>soil of the<span>
					</span>south<span>
					</span>face<span><span></span>
					</span>of the<span>
					</span>upper portion<span>
					</span>(nearest Whitney Drive)<span>
					</span>was vertical or nearly<span><span></span>
					</span>vertical. (Resp’t Rebuttal<span><span></span>
					</span>Br.<span>
					</span>6-7). TKC does not argue that the slope at the<span>
					</span>south end<span>
					</span>of the upper portion<span>
					</span>conformed to Table B–1,<span>
					</span>and indeed any such argument would<span>
					</span>have no evidentiary support. However, TKC argues, in essence, that no employees were exposed to a cave-in hazard from that<span>
					</span>nearly<span><span></span>
					</span>vertical<span>
					</span>face<span><span></span>
					</span>because the excavator<span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>“against the slope and there is no evidence in any photo<span><span></span>
					</span>exhibit or testimony that workers were in this area.” (Resp’t Br.<span>
					</span>[revised]<span><span></span>
					</span>5). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">This argument is rejected. Exhibit C-<span>
					</span>20<span><span></span>
					</span>reflects two TKC<span>
					</span>employees (Tom Kubricky and the operator of the excavator, Scott Kubricky)<span><span></span>
					</span>standing<span>
					</span>at the edge<span>
					</span>of the lower portion’s south end<span>
					</span>near the<span>
					</span>excavator’s<span>
					</span>left track, while the other two TKC employees are in the trench<span>
					</span>and inside the trench box that<span>
					</span>is suspended from the<span>
					</span>excavator’s<span><span></span>
					</span>bucket.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The photograph also<span>
					</span>shows<span>
					</span>the rear of the excavator backed up to the<span>
					</span>excavation’s<span>
					</span>south face.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>This evidence establishes that<span>
					</span>for all four TKC<span>
					</span>employees<span>
					</span>it was<span>
					</span>“reasonably predictable either by operational necessity or otherwise (including inadvertence), that employees have been, are, or will be in the zone of danger”<span><span></span>
					</span>presented by the<span>
					</span>previously disturbed soil of the upper portion’s nearly vertical south<span>
					</span>face.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Briones Util. Co.</span>, 26<span>
					</span>BNA OSHC<span><span></span>
					</span>1218,<span>
					</span>1219<span><span></span>
					</span>(No. 10-1372, 2016)<span><span></span>
					</span>(finding<span>
					</span>that an<span>
					</span>employee working<span>
					</span>in a trench that was only partially protected<span>
					</span>from cave-in<span>
					</span>had access<span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>unprotected portion of trench). The upper portion of the excavation, viewed independently of<span>
					</span>trench, did not meet the requirements of Table B-1, and would not have<span>
					</span>met the requirements of Option 2<span><span></span>
					</span>for an excavation no deeper than 20 feet.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">With respect to whether the<span>
					</span>trenched lower portion,<span><span></span>
					</span>evaluated<span>
					</span>as a<span><span></span>
					</span>stand-alone excavation<span><span></span>
					</span>not deeper than 20 feet,<span><span></span>
					</span>would meet<span><span></span>
					</span>the requirements of Table B–1, that argument fails<span>
					</span>also. For purposes of analysis,<span>
					</span>the long sides off the lower portion are assumed to have been constituted<span>
					</span>entirely of stable rock.<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref11" href="#ftn11">10</a></span> But as<span><span></span>
					</span>previously discussed, the<span>
					</span>soil of the<span>
					</span>sloped<span>
					</span>ends of the trench could not be classified higher than<span>
					</span>Type B, so under Table B-1 these slopes could be no steeper than 45 degrees.<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref12" href="#ftn12">11</a></span> The<span>
					</span>photographs at Exhibits C-20 and C-23 depict two TKC employees working at the bottom of the lower portion<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>depict the sloped surfaces of both<span>
					</span>the north and south ends. Even though the angles from which the photographs were taken make it difficult to discern with precision the<span>
					</span>exact<span>
					</span>slope<span>
					</span>angle<span>
					</span>of the ends<span><span></span>
					</span>of the trench, the photographs are reasonably susceptible of the conclusion that<span><span></span>
					</span>at least portions were<span><span></span>
					</span>steeper than 45 degrees. Therefore, the sloped ends<span>
					</span>of the lower portion<span>
					</span>would<span><span></span>
					</span>not meet the requirements of Table B–1<span><span></span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>for<span>
					</span>excavations<span>
					</span>in Type B soil<span>
					</span>no deeper than 20 feet,<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>face<span><span></span>
					</span>be no<span>
					</span>steeper than 45 degrees.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Option<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>-- § 1926.652(b)(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Option 3<span><span></span>
					</span>requires<span>
					</span>sloping<span>
					</span>to be<span>
					</span>done in accordance with tabulated data, such as tables and charts,<span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>writing<span>
					</span>that identifies<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>registered professional engineer<span><span></span>
					</span>who approved the data.<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref13" href="#ftn13">12</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>There is no evidence that TKC<span>
					</span>relied upon any tabulated data, and TKC does not contend otherwise. The excavation did not meet Option 3’s requirements for a protective system.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">Option<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>-- § 1926.652(b)(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Option 4 requires<span><span></span>
					</span>that if Options 1 through 3 are not utilized, a<span>
					</span>registered professional engineer<span><span></span>
					</span>must approve the benching and sloping systems used in an excavation.<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref14" href="#ftn14">13</a></span> As discussed in connection with Option 2,<span>
					</span>TKC did not<span>
					</span>use<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>written design that was approved by a<span>
					</span>registered professional engineer. The excavation did not meet Option<span>
					</span>4’s requirements for a protective system.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Permissible<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Support Systems, Shield Systems and<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; line-height:normal; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">O</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">ther Protective Systems</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; 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:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">un</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">der § 1926.652(</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">c</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">An<span>
					</span>employer<span>
					</span>may<span><span></span>
					</span>comply with the requirements of<span>
					</span>the cited standard,<span>
					</span>§ 1926.652(a),<span><span></span>
					</span>by implementing one of the four options set forth at<span>
					</span>29 C.F.R. § 1926.652(c).<span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref15" href="#ftn15">14</a></span> TKC does not contend, and no evidence establishes, that the excavation conformed with any of the four options set forth in<span>
					</span>§ 1926.652(c)(1)––(4). With respect to TKC’s use of the Town’s trench box<span><span></span>
					</span>in the<span>
					</span>trenched lower portion of the excavation, TKC<span><span></span>
					</span>used<span><span></span>
					</span>the trench box to protect the employees from<span>
					</span>effluent coming from the broken pipe,<span><span></span>
					</span>not to<span>
					</span>protect the employees<span>
					</span>from a cave-in. (Findings of<span>
					</span>Fact ¶<span><span></span>
					</span>22). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Accordingly, for the reasons described above,<span>
					</span>the excavation did not meet the requirements of any of the options for an adequate protective system permitted under § 1926.652(a)(1). The Secretary established that TKC failed to comply with the cited standard<span>
					</span>in the manner alleged. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Worksite was a single excavation<span>
					</span>deeper than 20 feet<span>
					</span>without an adequate protective system,<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>TKC<span>
					</span>thus failed to comply with the requirements of<span><span></span>
					</span>§ 1926.652(a)(1).<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; ">Employee Exposure</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and Employer Knowledge</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">All four<span>
					</span>TKC employees<span><span></span>
					</span>worked in the<span>
					</span>non-compliant<span>
					</span>excavation<span><span></span>
					</span>and were<span>
					</span>thereby<span>
					</span>exposed to that<span><span></span>
					</span>violative<span>
					</span>condition. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Tom Kubricky was present<span><span></span>
					</span>at the Worksite<span><span></span>
					</span>throughout the repair project<span>
					</span>supervising the<span>
					</span>other TKC employees. As TKC’s president and onsite supervisory employee,<span>
					</span>his<span><span></span>
					</span>actual knowledge<span>
					</span>of the violative condition of the excavation<span>
					</span>is imputed to TKC.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Secretary proved<span>
					</span>all elements of his burden of proof respecting the alleged violation of § 1926.652(a)(1), and so citation Item<span>
					</span>2<span><span></span>
					</span>is affirmed.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Serious C</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">lassification</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">& Penalty A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">ssessments</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The Secretary alleged<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">each citation item was serious in nature. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The Act provides that a violation is serious i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">f there was a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from the violative condition.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">29 U.S.C. § 666(k);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Consol. Freightways Corp</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">., 15 BNA OSHC 1317, 1324 (No. 86-351, 1991).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“This does not mean that the occurrence of an accident must be a substantially probable result of the violative condition but, rather, that a serious injury is the likely result if an accident does occur.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Oberdorfer Indus. Inc.,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>20 BNA OSHC 1321, 1330-31 (No. 97-0469, 2003) (consolidated) (citation omitted).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Cave-in events, and the inability of a worker to egress from a trench excavation in an emergency, can result in death and serious physical injur</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">y</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(T. 200-01, 206-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">07).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Both citation items are properly c</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">lassified<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">as serious.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“Once a citation is contested, the Commission has<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sole</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">authority</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>assess penaltie</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Valdak Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 17 BNA OSHC 1135, 1138 (No. 93-0239, 1995) (citation omitted</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">),</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">aff'd</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">73 F.3d 1466 (8th Cir. 1996).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Commission owes no deference to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Secretary</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">’s calculation of proposed penalties</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Hern Iron Works</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 16 BNA OSHC 1619, 1621 (No. 88-1962, 1994).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Section 17(j) of the Act requires the Commission to give due consideration to four criteria in assessing penalties: the size of the employer's business, the gravity of the violation, the employer's good faith, and its prior history of violations.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Valdak</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 17 BNA OSHC at 1138.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> The maximum penalty allowed for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">two<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">serious violation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s here</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is $13,260</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for each</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>29 C.F.R.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">§ </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1903.15(d)(3) (2019) (setting forth<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">adjusted<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">maximum<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">civil<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">penalties<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">for penalties</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Secretary<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">propose</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>after January 23, 2019).</span><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref16" href="#ftn16">15</a></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">For<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">I</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">tem 1, the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">safe<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">egress violation,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the Secretary propose</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a penalty of $2,772</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. The Secretary</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>assess</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">he gravity<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">of the violation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">to be</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">moderate</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">high severity</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">potential injury, but<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">lesser</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>probability</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>an</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>injury</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>occurring</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">in calculating</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a gravity-based penalty</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>amount</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. The Secretary reduced th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">figure</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">70% to account for TKC’s small size</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(T. 20</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">3-0</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 206</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-3 at 1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The Secretary<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">made no adjustments to account for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">good faith or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">prior<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">history. (T. 205).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The undersigned<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">concurs with the Secretary</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">’s penalty calculation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for the egress violation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, except that the Secretary’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">proposed penalty</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">reduced further by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">approximately<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">10%</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">for prior history because<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">TKC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>has not been previously cited for any violations</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. (T.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">205). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The penalty assessed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for item 1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is $2,500.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">For Item 2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>involving</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the lack of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">adequate<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">cave-in protection, the Secretary proposed a penalty of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">$3,888. The<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Secretary assessed the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">gravity</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of the violation to be</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hi</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">g</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">h</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">high severity</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of potential injury, with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">greater</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>probability</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of injury occurring</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">in calculating</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a gravity-based penalty</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>amount</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. The Secretary again</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>reduced th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">figure</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">by</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>70%<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">to account for TKC’s small size</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 20</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">8</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">-0</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">9</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-3 at 4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">). The Secretary provided no adjustment for good faith or history. (T. 20</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">9-10</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">undersigned concurs with the Secretary’s penalty calculation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for the cave-in protection violation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, except</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Secretary’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">proposed penalty<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">reduced<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">further<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">by</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>approximately</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>10</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">%<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">for prior history because<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">TKC<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">has not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">been previously cited<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">any violations</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">10</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">). The penalty assessed is $</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,500.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">ORDER</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The foregoing decision constitutes findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with<span>
					</span>Commission Rule 90(a)(1). 29 C.F.R. § 2200.90(a)(1). If any finding of fact is in actuality a conclusion<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>of<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>law<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>or<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>any<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>legal<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>conclusion<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>stated<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>is<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>in<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>actuality<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>a<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>finding<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>of<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>fact,<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>it<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>shall<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>be<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>deemed so, any label to the contrary notwithstanding.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is ORDERED<span style="letter-spacing:-.005cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>that:</p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:14.667px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:0cm; line-height:2; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; letter-spacing:-.014cm; width: 100;padding-right:20px;">1.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Item</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Citation,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">alleging</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">serious</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">violation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C.F.R.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">§</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.004cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">19</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">26.651(c)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">),<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is AFFIRMED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and a penalty of $2,500 is assessed.</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:14.667px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:0cm; line-height:2; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; letter-spacing:-.014cm; width: 100;padding-right:20px;">2.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Item</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Citation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>as amended</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">alleging</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">serious</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">violation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.019cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C.F.R.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">§</span><span style="font-size:12pt; letter-spacing:-.021cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">19</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">26.652(a)(1)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is AFFIRMED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and a penalty of $3,500 is assessed.</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:14.667px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:0cm; line-height:2; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; letter-spacing:-.014cm; width: 100;padding-right:20px;">3.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Item<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>of the Citation, alleging a serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 19</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">26.652(c)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">),</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">having been withdrawn by the Secretary, is VACATED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-left:0cm; "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:.2px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:258px; "><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">__</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">/s/</span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">___________________________</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:3.867px; margin-bottom:0px; text-align:center; margin-left:210.867px; margin-right:147.4px; ">WILLIAM S.<span style="letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>COLEMAN</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:center; margin-left:210.867px; margin-right:146px; ">Administrative Law<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>Judge</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:.2px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0cm; "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0cm; ">Dated:<span><span></span>
					</span>September 28, 2020</p>
			</div>
			<hr/>"
      <div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn-1" href="#ftnref-1"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn0" href="#ftnref0"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn2" href="#ftnref2"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">1 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The transcript incorrectly<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">reflects the words<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">“pasted off</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "> Mr. Kubricky actually said<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">“paced it off” at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>page 535, line 8, when describing how he estimated the excavation’s length and width</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Resp</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">’t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Rebuttal</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Br.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">3)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="background-color:#FFFFFF; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn3" href="#ftnref3"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">2 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Appendix A of the Excavations standard establishes a soil classification system for use in determining the adequacy of sloping or benching systems for protecting employees from cave-ins. Type B soil is defined to include “[p]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">reviously disturbed soils except those which would otherwise be</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>classified</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">as Type C soil</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.” 29 C.F.R.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">p</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">t.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1926,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ubpt. P, App. A.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, para. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">).</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn4" href="#ftnref4"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">3 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Whether the collapse of backfill into the trench<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">constituted a “cave-in” as that term is defined in the OSHA’s Excavations standar</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">d was not litigated by the parties and is not adjudicated in this Decision. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">The term “cave-in” is defined in pertinent part to mean “the separation of a mass of soil or rock material from the side of an excavation ... and its sudden movement into the excavation, either by falling or sliding, in sufficient quantity so that it could entrap, bury, or otherwise injure and immobilize a person.” §</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">1926.650(b).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn5" href="#ftnref5"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">4 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Paragraph (b) of § 1926.652 provides:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.483cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">(b)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Design of sloping and benching systems</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">. The slopes and configurations of sloping and benching systems shall be selected and constructed by the employer or his designee and shall be in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (b)(1); or, in the alternative, paragraph (b)(2); or, in the alternative, paragraph (b)(3), or, in the alternative, paragraph (b)(4)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">....</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn6" href="#ftnref6"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">5 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Option 1 is contained in § 1926.652(b)(1), which provides</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">:</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.483cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(1)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Option (1)—Allowable configurations and slopes.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.476cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(i) Excavations shall be sloped at an angle not steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical (34 degrees measured from the horizontal), unless the employer uses one of the other options listed below. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.476cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(ii) Slopes specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, shall be excavated to form configurations that are in accordance with the slopes shown for Type C soil in appendix B to this subpart.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn7" href="#ftnref7"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">6 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Option 2 is contained in § 1926.652(b)(2), which provides:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.152cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">(2)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Option (2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">—Determination of slopes and configurations using Appendices A and B.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Maximum allowable slopes, and allowable configurations for sloping and benching systems, shall be determined in accordance with the conditions and requirements set forth in appendices A and B to this subpart.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn8" href="#ftnref8"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">7 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Paragraph (b) of Appendix B defines the term “maximum allowable slope” to mean “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">steepest incline of an excavation face that is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">acceptable for the most favorable site</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">conditions as protection against cave-ins, and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">is expressed as the ratio of horizontal</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">distance to vertical rise (H:V).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn9" href="#ftnref9"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">8 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Excavations<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">standard defines the term<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">R</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">egis</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">tered<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">P</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">ro</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">fessional<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">E</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">ngineer</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">pertinent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>part</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to mean<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">a person who is registered as a professional engineer in the state where the work is to be performed....” 29 C.F.R. § 1926.650(b).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn10" href="#ftnref10"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">9 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Mr. Kubricky</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>testified that he used an instrument to test the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">soil of these<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">faces, and he determined i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was Type A soil, meaning that TKC had excavated up to or beyond the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">margins</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of the original excavation in 1978</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">he backfill of the original excavation could not be classified as Type A soil as defined in Appendix A, paragraph (b) of the Excavations standard because it was “previously disturbed” soil).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "> (T. 466-68, 500-03).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">here was no substantial evidence controvert</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>testimony, so it is accepted as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">accurate</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for purposes of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">analysis. </span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn11" href="#ftnref11"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">10 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Mr. Kubricky</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">went in the trench at some point, and he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">testified that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">its vertical sidewalls were constituted entirely of stable rock. (T. 472, 483, 488). T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">here was no substantial evidence to controvert that testimony, so it is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">deemed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">true for purpo</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">ses of analysis.</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn12" href="#ftnref12"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">11 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Considering Tom Kubricky’s description that when workers entered and exited via<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sloped end</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">sand<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">lid down<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">its face</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(T. 489), and considering also that there was a collapse of material from the north end, it<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">seems very</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>likely the soil on the north end was actually Type C.</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn13" href="#ftnref13"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">12 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Option 3 is contained in § 1926.652(b)(3), which provides in relevant part:<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(3)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Option (3)—Designs using other tabulated data.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(i) Designs of sloping or benching systems shall be selected from and be in accordance with tabulated data, such as tables and charts. </span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(ii) The tabulated data shall be in written form and shall include all of the following: . . .<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(iii)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">At least one copy of the tabulated</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">data which identifies the registered</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">professional engineer who approved</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the data</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">....</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:4px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn14" href="#ftnref14"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">13 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Option 4 is contained in § 1926.652(b)(4), which provides in relevant part:</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(4)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Option (4)—Design by a registered professional engineer.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> (i) Sloping and benching systems not utilizing Option (1) or Option (2) or Option (3) under paragraph (b) of this section shall be approved by a registered professional engineer.</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(ii)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Designs shall be in written form</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">and shall include at least the following:</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">...<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(C) The identity of the registered professional</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">engineer approving the design.</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn15" href="#ftnref15"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">14 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Paragraph (c) of § 1926.652 provides:<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.483cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(c)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Design of support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Designs of support systems shield systems, and other protective systems shall be selected and constructed by the employer or his designee and shall be in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (c)(1); or, in the alternative, paragraph (c)(2); or, in the alternative, paragraph (c)(3); or, in the alternative, paragraph (c)(4) . . . .</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn16" href="#ftnref16"><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">15 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">In proposing penalties, t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">he Secretary us</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as a starting point the lower maximum penalty of $12,934 for a serious violation for penalties proposed between January 2, 2018 and January 23, 2019, rather than the higher maximum of $13,260 permitted for penalties proposed after January 23, 2019. (T. 208; Ex. C-3 at 3). 29 C.F.R. § 1903.15(d)(3) (2018). The undersigned will also assess a penalty based on the same lower maximum figure.</span></p>
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