U.S. Department of Labor issued the following announcement on March 5.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Etna Construction Inc. – based in Warminster, Pennsylvania – for exposing employees to excavation hazards at a worksite in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company faces $208,560 in penalties.
OSHA determined that the company failed to install protective systems inside the excavation area; provide a safe means of exit from the excavation area; correct excavation deficiencies; and instruct employees on recognizing excavation hazards. The employer also failed to ensure employees wore hardhats to prevent head injuries and did not properly guard protruding reinforced steel.
"Employees can be seriously or fatally injured in a matter of seconds when a trench collapses," said OSHA Philadelphia Area Office Director Theresa Downs. "Trench-related injuries are preventable when employees are trained properly, and the required protections are in place."
Original source can be found here.