An Illinois utility construction company faces $380,664 in proposed penalties for repeated trench violations, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
OSHA announced citations October 21 for Always Underground LLC of Frankfort for three repeat violations of failure to provide cave-in protection, such as a trench box; a safe way to exit the trench; and to keep spoils or equipment more than 2 feet from the edge of a trench. OSHA also issued a serious violation for workers not wearing hard hats.
OSHA said it initiated an investigation after seeing employees in an unprotected trench deeper than 8 feet. The investigation was part of the National Emphasis Program on Trenching, which focuses OSHA's resources on trenching hazards.
According to online OSHA records, Always Underground was previously cited:
- September 8 for violations stemming from workers not being removed from an unprotected excavation May 28 in Matteson that was 5 feet 4 inches deep. The company was fined $16,550.
- November 15, 2023, for violations stemming from a worker not having a safe way to exit a 4-foot-deep trench July 31, 2023, in Homer Glen and a spoil pile less than 2 feet from the edge of the trench. The company was fined $29,220.
- January 4, 2023, for violations stemming from workers in a trench 7 feet 2 inches deep with no cave-in protection; spoil piles, tools and materials within 2 feet of the edge of the trench; and failure to remove employees from the unprotected trench August 18, 2022, in Tinley Park. The company was fined $17,257.
Always Underground has 15 business days from receipt of the most recent citations and 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.
