OSHA citations related to telecom worker’s death upheld

The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission has affirmed two workplace citations issued to a telecommunications contractor after an employee died while performing aerial work on fiberoptic cable in January 2020.

The commission on Friday affirmed $24,290 in penalties stemming from two serious violation citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to Brookfield, Vermont-based Eustis Cable Enterprises LTD.

The company was cited after a worker was killed when his tool line belt rose up his body and suffocated him while he was doing aerial pole work at a rural worksite in Andover, New York.

The first citation addressed several training failures, including that it did not provide the man with fall protection training before doing aerial tasks. The second citation related to a lack of tools and personal protective equipment.