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OSHA News Release -
Boston
Region
Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
Region 1 News Release: 08-1777-BOS/BOS 2008-361
Tues., Dec. 9, 2008
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited John Rocchio Corp. of Smithfield, R.I., for alleged willful and serious violations of excavation safety standards at a North Kingstown, R.I., worksite. The company faces a total of $216,000 in proposed penalties.
Responding to a report of unsafe conditions at a water line installation on Davisville Road, OSHA inspectors found two John Rocchio Corp. employees working in an 8-foot-deep excavation that lacked cave-in protection. There was neither a ladder at the excavation site nor any other safe method to exit, and a pile of excavated materials was stored at its edge. OSHA standards require that all excavations 5 feet or deeper be protected against collapse, excavated materials be stored at least 2 feet from the edge, and there be a safe means of entering and exiting the excavation.
As a result of these conditions, OSHA issued John Rocchio Corp. three willful citations carrying $210,000 in proposed fines. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
"The sizable fines proposed here reflect the nature and severity of the cited hazards," said Patrick Griffin, OSHA's area director in Providence. "An unguarded excavation is always an imminent danger situation since its walls can collapse suddenly and with great force, crushing or burying workers before they can react or escape."
The company also has been issued two serious citations, with $6,000 in fines, for allowing water to accumulate in the excavation and lack of hard hats for employees exposed to overhead hazards. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.
Detailed information about excavation safety is available on OSHA's Web site at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/trenchingexcavation/index.html.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to meet with OSHA or to contest them to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Providence Area Office; telephone 401-528-4669.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
Tues., Dec. 9, 2008
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
Smithfield, R.I., contractor faces $216,000 in U.S. Labor Department OSHA fines for cave-in and other hazards at North Kingstown, R.I., worksite
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited John Rocchio Corp. of Smithfield, R.I., for alleged willful and serious violations of excavation safety standards at a North Kingstown, R.I., worksite. The company faces a total of $216,000 in proposed penalties.
Responding to a report of unsafe conditions at a water line installation on Davisville Road, OSHA inspectors found two John Rocchio Corp. employees working in an 8-foot-deep excavation that lacked cave-in protection. There was neither a ladder at the excavation site nor any other safe method to exit, and a pile of excavated materials was stored at its edge. OSHA standards require that all excavations 5 feet or deeper be protected against collapse, excavated materials be stored at least 2 feet from the edge, and there be a safe means of entering and exiting the excavation.
As a result of these conditions, OSHA issued John Rocchio Corp. three willful citations carrying $210,000 in proposed fines. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
"The sizable fines proposed here reflect the nature and severity of the cited hazards," said Patrick Griffin, OSHA's area director in Providence. "An unguarded excavation is always an imminent danger situation since its walls can collapse suddenly and with great force, crushing or burying workers before they can react or escape."
The company also has been issued two serious citations, with $6,000 in fines, for allowing water to accumulate in the excavation and lack of hard hats for employees exposed to overhead hazards. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.
Detailed information about excavation safety is available on OSHA's Web site at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/trenchingexcavation/index.html.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to meet with OSHA or to contest them to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Providence Area Office; telephone 401-528-4669.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.