OSHA Cites Florida Construction Company After Fatality Investigation

OSHA, Nov 27, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Roads Inc. of NWF for alleged violations of safety and health standards following the investigation of a fatal accident April 19 in Pensacola, Fla. Proposed penalties total $142,150.

"Trenching remains one of the most hazardous jobs in the construction industry," said James. D. Borders, OSHA's Jacksonville, Fla., 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 the Maplewood 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.