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OSHA News Release
2009 - 03/09/2009 - U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites contractor for willful and serious safety violations following Tallahassee, Fla., area trench fatality |
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Region 4 News Release: 09-193-ATL (055) March 9, 2009 Contact: Michael Wald Phone: 404-562-2078 U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites contractor for willful and serious safety violations following Tallahassee, Fla., area trench fatality
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Tim's Hauling and Tractor Service Inc. for safety violations following a trench collapse that resulted in a fatality last October at a worksite in the Tallahassee area. The Havana, Fla., company is being cited for one willful violation with a proposed penalty of $49,000 for allowing two employees to continue working in an 8-foot-deep trench after removing a protective trench box. After the box was removed, one worker was crushed when a sidewall of the trench collapsed. The agency defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. The company is also being cited with two serious safety violations and $2,250 in proposed penalties for not placing a ladder used for access to and egress from the trench at least three feet above the edge of the trench, and for failing to adequately train employees to recognize and avoid excavation and trenching hazards. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. "Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations, but they can be performed in a safe manner when the proper safety equipment, such as trench boxes, is used consistently," said James Borders, OSHA's area director in Jacksonville, Fla. OSHA has proposed $51,250 in penalties against the company, which has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Jacksonville, or contest the proposed citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Jacksonville office, 1851 Executive Center Drive, Suite 227; telephone 904-232-2895. OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by preventing injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, www.osha.gov. ### U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department 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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