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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2005 - 09/22/2005 - OSHA Cites Contractor for Exposing Workers to Trenching Hazards at Jacksonville Work Site |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 4 News Release Release Number: 05-1704-ATL (232) Date: Thursday, September 22, 2005 Contact: James D. Borders Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: (904) 232 2895 (404) 562-2076 OSHA Cites Contractor for Exposing Workers to Trenching Hazards at Jacksonville Work Site
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited G & C Site Development for exposing workers to trenching hazards at a Jacksonville work site. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $44,450. "OSHA is committed to reducing hazards that too often result in workers being trapped in trench cave-ins," said James D. Borders, OSHA's Jacksonville area director. "Prevention is key to reducing these accidents, which happen quickly and without warning." An inspection was initiated April 14 after OSHA was notified of unsafe conditions at the work site near Baymeadows Road and Interstate 9A. The company received two willful citations, with total proposed penalties of $44,000, for not adequately sloping the sides of the trench and for allowing excavated material to accumulate too near its edge. A willful citation results when an employer has shown an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. OSHA also issued one serious citation, with a proposed penalty of $450, for exposing employees to fall hazards from a ladder too short for workers to safely enter and exit the 11-foot-deep trench. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. The Jacksonville Beach-based company has 15 working days to contest the recent citations and proposed penalties before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Inspection of the work site was conducted by OSHA's Jacksonville area office located at 1851 Executive Center Drive, Suite 227; telephone: (904) 232 2895. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. For a copy of OSHA's pocket card, "Safety in Excavations or Trenches," call the publications office at (202) 693-1888. ###
U.S. Labor Department (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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