The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Tuesday it has cited an Omaha, Nebraska-based plumbing contractor for failing to protect its workers from excavation collapse hazards and proposed penalties of $38,061.
In December, OSHA inspectors observed employees working in an unprotected trench while repairing a sewer line. OSHA cited Gavrooden Inc., doing business as Mr. Rooter Plumbing, for one willful and four serious violations for failing to use a protective system to prevent trench collapse, failing to train workers on trenching hazards and failing to place soil piles a safe distance from the open excavation. The company was also cited for similar hazards at another worksite in November 2017, OSHA said in a statement.
“Trenching and excavation are among the most hazardous jobs in construction,” Jeff Funke, OSHA Omaha area office director, said in a statement. “This employer has endangered workers by disregarding safety requirements to prevent cave-ins.”
Gavrooden Inc. declined to comment at this time.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Wednesday that it has cited Langston Concrete Inc. for failing to protect its workers from trench collapse hazards, with proposed penalties of $90,535.