Region 6 News Release: 13-263-DAL
Feb. 20, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Todd Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites SER Construction Partners for
exposing workers to excavation hazards at Conroe, Texas, work site

CONROE, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited SER Construction Partners LLC with one willful violation for exposing workers repairing a water line to excavation hazards at its Conroe work site on State Highway 242. OSHA's Houston North Area Office began its December 2012 inspection as part of a national emphasis program on trenching and excavation. Proposed penalties total $69,300.

"A cave-in can turn into a grave in a matter of seconds. Failing to protect workers from cave-ins is simply unacceptable," said David Doucet, OSHA's area director at its Houston North office. "OSHA has specific standards regarding the proper sloping, shoring and shielding of an excavation site that can save lives."

A willful violation was cited for failing to provide proper shoring protection while repairing a damaged 16-inch water line. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

Information on excavation hazards and safeguards is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/trenchingexcavation/index.html.

Houston-based SER Construction Partners, which employs about 230 workers who specialize in underground utility construction, has 15 business days from the receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's Houston North office, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742), the agency's Houston North office at 281-591-2438, or its Houston South office at 281-286-0583.

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 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 http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 292-693-7828 or TTY 292-693-7755.