• Premium News Login
  • WorkCompResearch Member Login
  • Solutions
    • WorkCompResearch
    • Virtual Claims Kit
    • FlashFormSSL
    • Advertising, Branding and Promotional Services
    • Insurance Center
    • CompEvent Conference Registration
  • News, Blogs & Events
    • News Center Home Page
    • View All Articles
    • Featured News
    • The Experts View
    • Current News
    • From Bob's Cluttered Desk
    • Workers' Comp Blog Wire
    • Workers' Comp Best Blogs
      • 2019 Best Blogs
      • Workers' Comp Best Blogs 2018
      • Workers' Comp Best Blogs 2017
      • Workers' Comp Best Blogs 2016
    • Calendar of Events
  • State Info
  • Forums
  • Kid's Chance

  • WorkCompResearch Login
  • Premium News Login
  • Request a Demo






Simplifying the Work of Workers' Compensation


Quick Help Center

I Need Workers'
Comp Insurance

I'm Injured
What Do I Do?

Simplifying the Work of Workers' Compensation


I Need Workers'
Comp Insurance
I'm Injured
What Do I Do?

Current News

  • Home
  • News, Blogs & Events
  • Current News

Trench Collapse Seriously Injures Worker, Leads to $424K Fine for Employer

  • 07/22/15
  • WorkersCompensation.com


Houston, TX (WorkersCompensation.com) - One minute he was working in the 8-foot trench below ground. The next, he was being buried in it. His co-workers came to his rescue, digging him out with their bare hands. Moments after they pulled the injured man to safety, the unprotected trench collapsed again. His injuries were serious and led to his hospitalization.

The man's Houston-area employer, Hassell Construction Co. Inc. knew the Richmond, Texas excavation site was dangerous, but failed to protect its workers.

Today, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Hassell Construction for 16 safety violations, including six egregious willful violations for failing to protect workers inside an excavation from a cave-in. The company faces penalties totaling $423,900.

"For more than 2,500 years, man has known how to prevent deadly trench collapses. It is absolutely unacceptable that employers continue to endanger the lives of workers in trenches," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "An employer is responsible for providing a workplace safe from hazards. Hassell Construction failed to do that in this case."

In addition to the willful violations, Hassell was cited for nine serious violations, including failing to remove debris from the edge of the excavation. The company also did not provide a safe means to get in and out of the excavation for workers or conduct atmospheric testing inside excavations after a sewer leak.

"Trench cave-ins are preventable," said John Hermanson, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "There are long-established, basic precautions. They're not new, and they're not secret. Hassell Construction knew its trenches weren't safe, but still put its workers in harm's way."

OSHA has placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program. The program concentrates resources on inspecting employers who have demonstrated indifference towards creating a safe and healthy workplace by committing willful or repeated violations, and/or failing to abate known hazards. It also mandates follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law.

The citations Hassell Construction received are available here.

Hassell Construction employs about 150 employees to help construct water and sewer lines in the Houston area. Its workers compensation insurance carrier is Liberty Mutual. The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's Houston South area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.



Comments

Be the first person to comment!


You must Login or Register in order to read and make comments!


Member Login

Don't Have an Account? Click Here to Register.


Click Here If You Forgot Password

Click Here If You Are Having Problems Receiving Verification Email

Email to a Friend

Post Comment or Reply

Search

View By Section

  • View All Articles
  • Featured News
  • The Experts View
  • Current News
  • From Bob's Cluttered Desk
  • Workers' Comp Blog Wire
  • CompBob! Friday Joke

View By Author

  • Liz Carey
  • Frank Ferreri
  • Nancy Grover
  • Judge David Langham
  • Heather Schwartz Sanderson
  • Chriss Swaney
  • F.J. Thomas
  • Bob Wilson
  • Bill Zachry


WorkersCompensation.com, LLC. | All Rights Reserved
About Us | Advertise with Us | Contact Us | WorkCompResearch.com | Privacy Policy | Terms | Advertiser Login