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U.S. Department of Labor | |
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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2003 - 12/02/2003 - OSHA Again Cites Fayetteville Contractor for Exposing Workers to Trenching Hazards |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 4 News Release OSHA-03-777-ATL (288) Tues., Dec. 02, 2003 Contact: Andre Richards Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: (770) 984-8700 ext. 0 (404) 562-2076 OSHA Again Cites Fayetteville Contractor for Exposing Workers to Trenching Hazards ATLANTA -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Brent Scarborough and Company for repeatedly and willfully exposing employees to trenching hazards. The agency is proposing $75,000 in total penalties. OSHA began an inspection Oct. 1, after an inspector observed workers installing sewer pipes in a 12-foot-deep, improperly shored trench at a Newnan, Ga., sub-division construction site. The agency has a national emphasis program that allows immediate inspection of a site when trenching hazards are observed. "Unprotected trenches can collapse without warning, trapping or killing workers and employers must take steps to protect workers and prevent such incidents," said Andre Richards, OSHA's Atlanta-West area director. "OSHA's safety standards are designed to protect workers from such hazards, but they must be strictly followed at all times to be effective." The company received one willful citation with a proposed penalty of $50,000 for allegedly failing to adequately and properly slope a trench. The company had received several citations previously at other construction sites for similar violations. The agency also issued one repeat citation with a proposed penalty of $25,000 for alleged failure to have a designated competent person inspect the trench and surrounding area to be sure that adequate protection systems were in place before allowing workers to enter. An inspection would have shown the condition of the soil, recently excavated areas near the trench, and the lack of proper shoring and sloping, all factors that lead to cave-ins. OSHA issues a willful citation when an employer has intentional disregarded or shown plain indifference to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. A repeat citation is issued when an employer has been cited previously for a substantially similar condition and the citation has become a final order of the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The Fayetteville-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 Newnan Crossings work site was conducted by OSHA's Atlanta-West area office located at 2400 Herodian Way, Suite 250, Smyrna, Ga., phone: (770) 984-8700. Richards pointed out that the area office has a compliance assistance program, separate from its enforcement program, to help employers comply with trenching and excavation standards. OSHA is dedicated to assuring workers' safety and health. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit the agency website at www.osha.gov. ### |
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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