January 9, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Mississippi Construction Contractor
For Exposing Employees to Cave-in Hazards

D'IBERVILLE, MS – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Advanced Construction & Development LLC – based in Biloxi, Mississippi – for exposing employees to excavation hazards at a D'Iberville, Mississippi, worksite. The contractor faces $79,559 in penalties.

OSHA initiated the inspection after a compliance officer observed employees installing a storm drainpipe in an excavation without cave-in protection. OSHA cited the employer for failing to use protective systems, train employees to recognize and avoid excavation hazards, provide hard hats to employees working around heavy equipment, remove water from the excavation, and inspect the excavation and surrounding areas.

"Employers that fail to use cave-in protection when working in trenches and excavations expose workers to serious, sometimes fatal, injuries," said OSHA Jackson Area Director Courtney Bohannon. "Employers are legally obligated to slope, shore or shield trench walls to prevent a collapse."

OSHA recently updated the National Emphasis Program on preventing injuries related to trenching and excavation collapses. OSHA's trenching and excavation webpage provides additional information on trenching hazards and solutions, including a trenching operations QuickCard and a "Protect Workers in Trenches" poster.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to help ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

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Media Contacts:

Eric Lucero, 678-237-0630, lucero.eric.r@dol.gov
Michael D'Aquino, 678-237-0630, daquino.michael@dol.gov

Release Number:  19-2138-ATL (9)