Translate
Inspection Detail
Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.
Inspection: 116513912 - Richard E. Fowler, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Fort Lauderdale Area Office
Site Address:
Richard E. Fowler, Inc.
5951 Colonial Drive
Margate, FL 33063
Mailing Address:
3212 N.E. 12 St.(P.O.Box 641), Pompano, FL 33061
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:1623
NAICS:
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 04/25/1997
Planning Guide: Safety-Construction
Emphasis: N:Trench
Case Closed:
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 100670348 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 4 | 6 | 10 | |||
| Current Violations | 4 | 6 | 10 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $28,000 | $420,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $448,000 |
| Current Penalty | $20,000 | $330,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $350,000 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19260021 B02 | 04/30/1997 | 05/18/1997 | $5,000 | $7,000 | $0 | 05/21/1997 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19260100 A | 04/30/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $5,000 | $7,000 | $0 | 05/21/1997 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19260651 C02 | 04/30/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $5,000 | $7,000 | $0 | 05/21/1997 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19260651 H01 | 04/30/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $5,000 | $7,000 | $0 | 05/21/1997 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 5. | 02001 | Willful | 19260651 I03 | 04/30/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $55,000 | $70,000 | $0 | 05/21/1997 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 6. | 02002 | Willful | 19260651 J02 | 04/28/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $55,000 | $70,000 | $0 | 05/21/1997 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 7. | 02003 | Willful | 19260652 A01 | 04/30/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $55,000 | $70,000 | $0 | 05/21/1997 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 8. | 02004 | Willful | 19260652 A01 | 04/30/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $55,000 | $70,000 | $0 | 05/21/1997 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 9. | 02005 | Willful | 19260652 A01 | 04/30/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $55,000 | $70,000 | $0 | 05/21/1997 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 10. | 02006 | Willful | 19260652 A01 | 04/30/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $55,000 | $70,000 | $0 | 05/21/1997 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
Employees #1 through #4 were in an approximately 79 ft long by 10 ft deep trench that was 7 ft wide at the top and 6 ft wide at the bottom. They were installing sections of sanitary sewer pipe connecting a new manhole to an existing manhole about 105 ft away. At the time of the accident, Employee #1 was at the far south end of the trench near where a trackhoe was located. He was holding a measuring rod to check the slope at the end of a section of pipe that had just been installed. Employees #2 and #3 were attempting to level the section of pipe by standing on top of it. Employee #4 was just north of them, having just left the area. The site foreman was on the pavement above the trench, using a laser measuring device to determine the slope of the pipe from the new manhole. The trackhoe operator was in the operator's seat of his vehicle at the south end of the trench. A cave-in occurred and Employee #1 suffered crushing injuries to his head and was killed. Employees #2 and #3 sustained multiple injuries, including head and facial fractures. Employee #4 suffered cuts and abrasions to his legs. The cause of the accident was the lack of adequate sloping and overall the failure to provide an effective protection system against cave-ins. The excavation had been was dug in previously disturbed soil, which was classified as OSHA Type C soil, a loose, cohesionless, granular soil. Water in the bottom of the trench had resulted in numerous cave-ins prior to the one that injured Employees #1 through #4. In addition, heavy equipment and vehicular traffic adjacent to the trench and they generated significant vibrations.
Keywords: FRACTURE, HEAD, WORK RULES, EARTHMOVING EQUIP, TRENCH, VIBRATIONS, CRUSHED, UNSTABLE SOIL, SLOPING, CAVE-IN
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 116513912 | Fatality | Other | Construction laborers | ||
| 2 | 116513912 | Hospitalized injury | Fracture | Construction laborers | ||
| 3 | 116513912 | Hospitalized injury | Fracture | Construction laborers | ||
| 4 | 116513912 | Non Hospitalized injury | Bruise/Contus/Abras | Construction laborers |