An Edmond, Oklahoma contractor with a historical past of office security violations courting again to 2018, together with three associated to the risks in underground trenches, was discovered disregarding U.S. Division of Labor laws.
In February 2024, investigators with the division’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration realized a 61-year-old pipe layer employed by Jerlow Building Co. suffered deadly accidents when a 9-foot deep trench collapsed at a residential work website close to Shawnee. The company decided the employer allowed their staff to work in an excavation with out correct protections, together with shielding, benching, sloping or different units. The incident occurred as staff labored under the floor to put in an 8-inch water line.
“Nobody ought to ever be allowed to enter or work in an excavation with out required protecting techniques in place and with out inspection of the ditch by a certified individual,” defined OSHA Space Director Steven Kirby in Oklahoma Metropolis. “Regardless of quite a few warnings and notices of violations for failing to guard staff in trenches, Jerlow Building has joined the all-too-long record of employers whose defiance of federal laws resulted in a preventable lack of life. Their failures are inexcusable.”
OSHA issued citations to Jerlow Building for one repeat violation and three severe violations following this incident’s investigation. Infractions embrace failing to supply enough techniques to forestall trench cave-ins, prepare staff on how one can acknowledge hazards associated to excavations and carry out every day inspections to confirm secure entry situations for the excavation. The company faces $85,173 in proposed penalties, an quantity set by federal statute.
Based in 1973, Jerlow Building Co. is a licensed underground utility development firm that installs and companies sanitary and storm sewers and water mains for residential developments and business tasks.
Jerlow Building Co. has 15 enterprise days from receipt of its citations and penalties to conform, request a casual convention with OSHA’s space director, or contest the findings earlier than the unbiased Occupational Security and Well being Overview Fee.
Supply: OSHA
Matters
Contractors
Oklahoma
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