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OSHA Cites Contractor Following Fatal Cave-In
The death of a worker in a trench collapse could have been prevented if the excavation had been properly guarded against collapse, reports the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).On June 18, employees of a contractor, were installing rebar inside an unprotected 11-foot deep trench when a section of the trench wall collapsed, burying a worker. OSHA's inspection found that the trench lacked any form of cave-in protection.
"OSHA standards are clear. All excavations five feet or deeper must be protected against collapse," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's Bridgeport area director. "Options are available to employers, including shoring the excavation or using a protective trench box, but none were in use at this site."
In addition, OSHA determined that the trench lacked a safe means of entry and exit; stairs leading to a deck adjacent to the trench were not protected against collapse; workers in the trench lacked head protection and were not protected against stones falling into the excavation; and daily inspections of the trench and the adjacent area were not conducted to identify unsafe conditions.
OSHA issued seven serious citations and proposed $20,100 in fines against the company for these conditions. OSHA defines a serious violation is a condition where there is a substantial possibility that death or serious physical harm can result to an employee.
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