• Premium News Login
  • WorkCompResearch Member Login
  • Solutions
    • WorkCompResearch
    • Virtual Claims Kit
    • FlashFormSSL
    • Advertising, Branding and Promotional Services
    • 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



Current News

  • Home
  • News, Blogs & Events
  • Current News

Cal/OSHA Cites Construction Company for Fatal Trench Accident

  • 11/20/18
  • WorkersCompensation.com


Oakland, CA (WorkersCompensation.com) - Cal/OSHA has cited general contractor Bay Construction Co. for dismantling a trench box while an employee was still working inside. Investigators found the employer committed willful-serious safety violations by unsafely removing a linear support rail that fell and fatally crushed the worker.

“Shield systems are designed to protect employees from cave-ins when working in an excavation,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. “Employers must ensure that no one is inside of the excavation when the protective system is being installed or removed.”

Bay Construction Co. of Oakland assembled a trench box on April 23 to install underground pump station equipment at the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland. Four days later, the crew was finishing up the underground work when a worker was compacting dirt inside the trench box and another was using an excavator with a four-hook bridle sling to remove the shoring system's 5,000-pound linear rails. The hooks used for the sling were not adequate for this operation and one failed, dropping a rail and fatally crushing the worker inside the trench.

Cal/OSHA issued nine citations to Bay Construction Co. with $141,075 in proposed penalties, including five classified as general, two serious, one serious accident-related and one willful-serious accident-related. The willful-serious accident-related citation was issued for failing to ensure that no employees were in the trench shield while it was being dismantled. The serious accident-related citation was issued for the employer's failure to use adequate hooks to remove the heavy linear rails. The citations for serious violations were issued for failing to conduct daily inspections of the excavation site to identify any potential hazards and failure to implement multiple sections of the employer's Injury and Illness Prevention Program, which includes training and instruction to employees working in excavations.

A citation is classified as serious when there is a realistic possibility that death or serious harm could result from the actual hazard created by the violation. A willful violation is cited when the employer is aware of the law and violates it nevertheless, or

when the employer is aware of the hazardous condition and takes no reasonable steps to address it.

Cal/OSHA offers extensive information and resources on working safely in the construction industry, including how to safely perform trench and excavation operations. Before starting excavation work, the approximate locations of all underground installations that may be encountered during excavation operations must be determined and the proper notification must be made to the appropriate agency in either Northern or Southern California. A permit from the local Cal/OSHA district office must be obtained before the construction of excavations five feet or deeper into which any person is required to descend.



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