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OSHA Cites Ohio Excavating Firm for Exposing Workers to Trench
Hazards, Proposes Penalties of More than $500,000
WASHINGTON—An Ohio construction firm is facing a proposed
fine of $510,750 after inspections along a 150-mile petroleum
pipeline in Ohio found inadequate cave-in protection inside
trenches, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational
Safety and Health Administration announced today.
H.L. Crouse Construction, a pipeline contractor based in Walbridge,
Ohio, was cited for 14 alleged safety and health violations,
including eight willful violations for failure to protect employees
from cave-ins at six separate trenches, allowing water accumulation
in trenches, and placing excavated soil close to unprotected
trench walls.
“Trenching accidents are a major cause of job-related
injuries and fatalities across the country. Measures can and
must be taken to prevent such accidents,” said U.S. Secretary
of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “These workers were placed at
significant risk when their employer repeatedly failed to take
basic precautions against a trench collapse. This Administration
will not hesitate to take action to protect workers and the
$510,750 penalty should send a strong signal this blatant disregard
for worker safety will not be tolerated.”
“What’s most troubling about this case,” added
OSHA Administrator John Henshaw, “is that the company
had already been warned on-site about the hazards, yet did nothing
about it. Our standards on preventing trenching accidents are
clear. Given the conditions observed by OSHA compliance officers,
it’s fortunate that workers had not been injured.
The action we have taken will help ensure that they won’t
have to continue to live with those risks.”
OSHA opened a scheduled inspection at the Columbus-area site
on May 20 where Crouse Construction had begun excavation of
the 150-mile long pipeline which, when completed, will transport
approximately 80,000 barrels of petroleum daily from Kenova,
W.Va. to Columbus, Ohio. The inspection revealed that various
trenches were not protected against collapse, nor were there
sufficient ladders or escape ramps inside. Further, OSHA inspectors
also witnessed workers in ankle deep water in some of the trenches.
In addition to eight alleged willful violations, OSHA cited
the company with six alleged serious violations for hazards
associated with arc welding, means of egress from trenches,
training for work in trenches, defective hoisting equipment,
and no reflective gear for workers near highways. The alleged
willful violations carry proposed penalties of $490,500, while
a $20,250 penalty is proposed for the alleged serious violations.
Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard
of the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
and OSHA regulations, or plain indifference to employee safety
and health. Serious violations are defined as those for which
there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical
harm could result, and the employer knew or should have known
of the hazard.
The citations were issued Sept. 17, from which time Crouse Construction
has 15 working days to contest them and the proposed penalties
before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review
Commission.
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