US Department Of Labor Cites Illinois Construction Company
The company exposed employees to trenching hazards, prompting an investigation and proposed penalties. This matter is important because it highlights the need for workplace safety
Original reporting · osha.gov
Original: “US Department of Labor cites Illinois utility construction company for repeated exposure to trenching hazards”
Read “US Department of Labor cites Illinois utility construction company for repeated exposure…” at OSHA News Releases →How this was written. A Safety Kit wrote this article with a language model from OSHA News Releases’s reporting (model: @cf/meta/llama-3.3-70b-instruct-fp8-fast); it describes that reporting rather than adding to it. The original, linked above, is the full story.
Key points from OSHA News Releases’s report
- The US Department of Labor cited an Illinois construction company for repeatedly exposing employees to trenching hazards.
- The company may face penalties of $380,664 for its safety violations.
- The Department of Labor encourages companies to prioritize worker safety, particularly in hazardous industries like construction.
The US Department of Labor has taken action against an Illinois-based utility construction company for putting its employees at risk. According to OSHA News Releases, the company's actions led to an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The investigation was part of a national program focused on trenching safety.
The company in question, Always Underground LLC, was found to have repeatedly exposed its workers to unsafe conditions while working in trenches. This included working in trenches without proper protection, which can be particularly hazardous. The trenches were deeper than eight feet, making the situation even more dangerous.
OSHA News Releases reported that the company failed to ensure its workers' safety in several key areas. The company did not provide a safe way for workers to exit the trenches, and it did not use a system to prevent the trenches from collapsing. Additionally, the company did not keep heavy objects and equipment far enough away from the edge of the trenches.
The company also failed to provide its workers with proper head protection, which is essential for preventing injuries from falling objects. This oversight was considered a serious violation of safety protocols. The total proposed penalty for these violations is substantial, according to the Department of Labor.
In total, the company may face penalties of $380,664. The company has several options for how to proceed, including paying the penalties, requesting a meeting with OSHA, or contesting the findings. The company must take one of these actions within 15 business days of receiving the citations.
The Department of Labor encourages companies to take steps to ensure their workers' safety, particularly in hazardous industries like construction. Employers can visit OSHA's website to learn more about how to keep their workers safe. The agency also offers free compliance assistance to help companies understand and follow safety regulations.
The outcome of this case may change over time, and the public can check the OSHA establishment search page for updates. The Department of Labor's actions in this case demonstrate its commitment to enforcing safety regulations and protecting workers' rights.
Questions and answers
What happened to the construction company?
The company was cited by the US Department of Labor for repeatedly exposing its employees to trenching hazards.
How much are the proposed penalties?
The company may face penalties of $380,664.
What can the company do next?
The company can pay the penalties, request a meeting with OSHA, or contest the findings within 15 business days.
