A federal investigation into a fatal incident at a Brownville worksite has revealed that a Glenburn contractor ignored safety warnings and the company's own safety plan. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that the actions of Patriot Paving Group LLC led to the death of an employee in June 2024.
The incident occurred when two workers were installing storm drainage pipes in a trench three to four feet deep. Clifford Lane, the owner of Patriot Paving Group, was operating an excavator near an unstable retaining wall, which caused it to collapse. One worker managed to escape, but another suffered fatal injuries.
OSHA's investigation concluded that Lane was aware of the instability of the wall but failed to implement protective measures or evacuate employees from the site. This negligence created immediate dangers for those working on-site.
Following their findings, OSHA cited Patriot Paving Group for five willful violations and proposed penalties totaling $161,325. The violations included not bracing the retaining wall, failing to remove employees from hazardous conditions, and not providing adequate training regarding trench hazards.
"The warnings were clear, yet Clifford Lane chose to ignore them, putting progress before safety and putting employees directly in harm’s way," stated OSHA Area Director Samuel Kondrup in Augusta, Maine. "There is no excuse for so callously endangering workers’ lives."
This case comes as OSHA continues its National Emphasis Program focusing on trenching and excavation safety. The program aims to enforce regulations and educate employers about reducing risks associated with these operations.
Patriot Paving Group LLC specializes in site preparation and general contracting services, including paving and stormwater drainage work for residential and commercial projects. The company now has 15 business days from receiving its citations to comply with OSHA's requirements or contest them before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
