Concurrent Group Faces OSHA Fines for Electrocution Hazards Following a Worker’s Death
The company faces more than $40,000 in proposed penalties.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jul 25, 2023
The death of a 32-year-old lineman for Concurrent Group LLC in January 2023 led OSHA to kick off an investigation of the company’s safety measures.
In a release dated July 19, OSHA announced it had completed its investigation into the Blue Bell, Pennsylvania-based electrical contractor. The findings determined employees parked a digger truck underneath energized overhead power lines without taking the necessary precautions. This oversight, OSHA found, ultimately led to the employee’s death by electrocution, which occurred when the truck’s boom made contact with the 7,620-volt power line.
Concurrent received five serious violations, amounting to a proposed $40,937 in penalties, as a result of the investigation. These violations include allowing employees to operate a digger truck within minimum approach distance to the overhead power lines, failure to designate an observer to supervise the activity, the lack of protective equipment to ground and insulate the area and the failure to inspect the site and equipment prior to starting work.
“An employee lost their life because Concurrent Group LLC failed to use required safeguards before starting work that morning,” OSHA Area Office Director Condell Eastmond in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said in a statement. “The company could have prevented this tragedy if it had ensured the power lines were de-energized before allowing employees to work in close proximity.”
Concurrent has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest its findings.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.