The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Monday it cited an Oklahoma contractor following the death of a worker in a May trench collapse.
OSHA cited Caney-based Rocking L Dozer and Land Management LLC for one willful violation for failing to implement protective systems in a trench deeper than five feet.
A project manager at a McAlester work site became trapped in the trench while company employees were putting gravel rock around a newly replaced 24-inch sewer line. The project manager died in the 10-foot-deep excavation when the trench collapsed.
The contractor failed to provide safe entry into or out of the trench, it allowed standing water in the trench, and it failed to perform daily inspections, OSHA stated.
In addition to the citation, OSHA proposed $82,149 in penalties.
The company has 15 business days to contest the citation and proposed penalties.