Trenching Violations Cited
OSHA has issued $79,900 in proposed fines to SER Construction Partners Ltd. The investigation began in January as part of the National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavations.
OSHA announced an enforcement case against SER Construction Partners Ltd., saying it has cited the company for one repeat and two serious trenching violations after OSHA's Houston North Area Office investigated working conditions at a Houston site. Based in Pasadena, Texas, the company specializes in heavy civil construction and employs about 370 employees, according to OSHA.
The agency has issued $79,900 in proposed fines. The investigation began in January as part of the National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavations.
The serious violations include failing to provide a safe egress from the trench and failing to prevent water accumulation, while the repeat violation involves failing to provide adequate cave-in protection, such as sloping, benching or a protective shield system. "Exposing workers to trenching hazards without adequate protections can be fatal," said Josh Flesher, OSHA's acting area director in the Houston North office. "OSHA's standards must be followed to prevent workers from being injured."