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OSHA Cites Florida Construction
Company After Fatality Investigation
The U.S. Department of Labor's
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited
a construction company for alleged violations of safety and health
standards following the investigation of a fatal accident April
19, 2006 in Pensacola, Florida. Proposed penalties total $142,150.
"Trenching remains one
of the most hazardous jobs in the construction industry,"
said James. D. Borders, OSHA's Jacksonville, Florida, area director.
"This tragic accident could have been avoided if the employer
had followed Occupational Safety and Health Act requirements
and regulations."
On the day of the accident,
employees installing a new storm drainage system at a subdivision
detected a strong gas odor. Company officials, however, did not
test the atmosphere or report the leak to the gas company. Later
that morning, a company employee was instructed to enter the
excavation to retrieve a laser surveying instrument from a sewer
pipe. The worker was severely burned when an explosion and fire
occurred shortly after he entered the pipe. Another worker, standing
at the edge of the trench, was slightly burned as the flash fire
exited the pipe. The severely burned employee died six days later.
OSHA issued two serious citations
directly related to the accident with proposed penalties of $6,650
for failing to test the air when natural gas was known to be
present and failing to train employees to recognize hazards associated
with trenching and excavation work. Two additional serious citations
with proposed penalties of $3,500 were issued for failing to
provide workers with proper safety equipment. Serious citations
are issued when there is substantial probability that death or
serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or
should have known, of the hazards.
The company received three
willful citations with proposed penalties totaling $132,000.
The willful citations included: operating an excavator boom within
10 feet of an overhead power line, exposing workers to electrocution;
allowing employees to work in a trench 7 to 15 feet deep without
a protective system, such as a trench box or properly shored
or sloped walls; and placing excavated materials too close to
a trench edge. OSHA issues willful citations when an employer
has shown an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference
to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
and regulations.
Under the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing
a safe and healthful workplace for their employees.
Source: OSHA News Releases
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