US Department of Labor fines Houston utility contractor $343K after excavation collapse
The US Department of Labor proposed $343,797 in penalties for a Houston utility contractor after an excavation collapse hospitalized a worker in Texas.
The following is an abridgement of an article originally published by OSHA News Releases.
Incident Summary
A Houston utility construction company was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor after an excavation collapse hospitalized a worker. The incident occurred while crews were installing sewer and water pipes for a residential development in Alvin, Texas.
OSHA Findings and Penalties
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined that the employer failed to adequately protect the excavation, provide a safe means of egress, and report the hospitalization within 24 hours as required by federal law.
OSHA cited the company for two repeat violations and one other-than-serious violation, proposing $343,797 in penalties. The contractor has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
