Contractor Faces OSHA Penalties for Exposing Workers to Trench Collapse Risks
Bandera Utility Contractors LLC faces $107,228 in penalties for exposing workers to unprotected trench conditions.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Dec 30, 2024
Following a July 2024 investigation, OSHA has cited Bandera Utility Contractors LLC of Frisco, Texas—which specializes in underground utility construction, including water and sewer systems—for exposing workers to hazardous conditions during trenching operations, marking the second time the company has faced such violations.
According to a recent release, inspectors found workers performing tasks like excavation, laser surveying and tool use in a trench without an adequate protective system. OSHA also noted the absence of sufficient ladders or safe escape routes, which are critical in preventing injuries during trench collapses.
The agency proposed $107,228 in penalties after observing employees working in unprotected trenches at a Fort Worth work site. However, Bandera Utility was previously cited for trench safety failures in 2022. The company was held responsible for a fatal incident in which a worker died while repairing a sewer line in an unprotected trench.
“Failing to protect workers during trenching operations is reckless and unacceptable, especially when the risks are widely recognized,” OSHA Area Director Timothy Minor in Fort Worth, Texas, said in a statement. “Bandera Utility Contractors has a duty to protect its workers from cave-ins, and OSHA will continue to enforce federal laws to ensure compliance. Implementing and remembering the three S’s—slope, shore and shield—can save lives and enhance job site safety.”
The investigation revealed that Bandera was subcontracted by Greystar Development and Construction LP, a Dallas-based global housing development firm, for the project. Bandera Utility Contractors has 15 business days to comply with OSHA’s findings, request an informal meeting with the agency or challenge the citations.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.