In Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. Department of Labor safety inspectors identified two contractors endangering their employees by not providing necessary safety measures against trench and excavation collapses. These incidents occurred within the same week.
On May 28, 2024, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors observed workers from Masci General Contractor Inc. working in a six-foot-deep trench near International Speedway and Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach without proper cave-in protection like shoring or trench boxes. The agency acted to remove the workers from the hazardous site and subsequently issued a citation for willfully putting them at risk.
Later that week, OSHA inspectors found employees of K T Carter Contracting Inc. working in a 12-foot-deep trench on Imeson Park Boulevard in Jacksonville without cave-in protections. OSHA intervened once more to remove the workers from danger and cited the company for similar violations.
"Exposing workers to unprotected trenches puts their lives at serious risk," said OSHA Area Director Scott Tisdale in Jacksonville, Florida. He emphasized the preventability of such incidents with appropriate safety measures: "In these cases, we are fortunate that our inspectors were able to intervene before a tragedy occurred."
Both contractors received additional citations for serious violations related to failing to provide safe entry or exit methods for the trenches and placing spoil piles too close to excavation edges. Masci General Contractor faces proposed penalties totaling $216,633 while K T Carter is facing $146,803 in penalties.
The citations were issued on November 13, 2024. The employers have 15 business days from receiving these notices to comply with regulations, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Further information about OSHA's efforts on trench safety can be accessed through resources detailing hazards and solutions related to trenching work.
