OSHA Cites Storm Pipe Cleaner for Safety Failures After Fatal Explosion
OSHA investigators highlighted the dangers of pressurized pipe plugs in the aftermath of a fatal explosion in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jan 21, 2025
OSHA found that Southeast Services of the Treasure Coast could have prevented the death of a 24-year-old worker at a Port St. Lucie, Florida, worksite. Inspectors found the company failed to identify and address hazards associated with inflatable pipe plugs.
On June 8, 2024, two employees were cleaning a drainpipe when the pressurized pipe plug became over-inflated, according to a recent release. The resulting explosion ejected one worker 15 feet from the storm drain, causing fatal injuries. OSHA cited the Vero Beach, Florida-based company for a serious safety violation, finding that it did not develop or implement procedures or training on the safe use of pneumatic pipe plugs.
“Pressurized equipment poses significant danger, and employers must put safeguards in place and take all necessary precautions to protect workers from these hazards,” OSHA Area Director Condell Eastmond in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said in a statement. “If employers ignore critical safety measures, the consequences can be devastating, leaving an unfillable void in the lives of the families impacted by such tragedies.”
The agency proposed $16,131 in penalties against Southeast Services of the Treasure Coast. The company has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference, or contest OSHA’s findings before an independent review commission.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.