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OSHA News Release
2005 - 11/15/2005 - OSHA Cites Franklin Contractor for Cave-In Hazard at Boscawen Jobsite |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 05-2151-BOS/BOS 2005-330 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 OSHA Cites Franklin Contractor for Cave-In Hazard at Boscawen Jobsite
CONCORD, N.H. -- A Franklin, N.H., contractor faces $50,750 in fines from the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for allegedly failing to supply cave-in protection at a Boscawen jobsite. OSHA cited R.D. Edmunds & Sons Inc. following an inspection of a sewer line excavation on Tremont St. where, on Sept. 26, an OSHA inspector observed an employee working in a six to seven-foot deep trench that lacked cave-in protection. The inspection also found that sections of the excavation wall had begun to pull away and had not been scaled off to prevent loose soil from dropping into the excavation. OSHA standards require that all excavations five feet or deeper be protected against collapse before employees work inside them. "The walls of an unprotected excavation can collapse suddenly and with great force, stunning and burying workers beneath tons of soil and debris before they have a chance to react or escape," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's New Hampshire area director. "Protection can be provided by shoring the trench's sidewalls, sloping the soil at a shallow angle or by use of a protective trenchbox; none of these protections were in use at the time of the inspection." As a result, OSHA issued one willful citation, with a $49,000 proposed penalty, for failing to supply cave-in protection and one serious citation, with a $1,750 proposed penalty, for the condition of the excavation wall. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. A serious violation is a condition where there is a substantial possibility that death or serious physical harm can result to an employee from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. Ohar reminded Granite State employers and workers that OSHA offers detailed information on excavation safety on its Web site: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/trenchingexcavation/index.html. A "Quick Card" about trenching safety is available in English and Spanish at: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/trench/trench_safety_tips_card.pdf. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA's Concord area office, telephone (603) 225-1629. 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. # # #
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at 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 at (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor 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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