OSHA Cites Alabama Construction Company for Trench Safety Violations
Federal investigators found workers exposed to trench collapse hazards at a Jefferson County jobsite.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Jan 29, 2026
A U.S. Department of Labor investigation has found that a Birmingham area construction company willfully exposed workers to trench collapse hazards at a Jefferson County worksite, federal safety officials said.
Inspectors with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited CB&A Construction LLC after determining that workers installing drainpipes were exposed to a trench that lacked protective safeguards. In addition to the unprotected excavation, OSHA found workers handling suspended loads without hard hats and working at the edge of the trench without barriers.
OSHA classified the violation as willful and proposed $170,145 in penalties. The company has 15 business days after receiving the citations to correct the hazards, request an informal conference with an OSHA area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Protective systems such as trench shields, sloping, or shoring are required under OSHA’s trenching and excavation standards to prevent collapses that can bury or seriously injure workers.
The investigation was conducted as part of OSHA’s National Emphasis Program, which targets enforcement and outreach in high-hazard industries to help reduce serious injuries and fatalities on American worksites. Employers can contact OSHA for compliance assistance and information on protecting workers from trenching hazards.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.