The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Thursday that it cited a Texas construction contractor over a fatal trench collapse in February.
OSHA cited El Paso-based CMD Endeavors Inc. for one “willful” violation, one “serious” violation and two “repeat” violations related to its failures to provide adequate systems to prevent trench cave-ins.
The agency proposed $260,848 in penalties.
The worker, a pipe layer for CMD Endeavors, was crushed by a piece of asphalt, which fell during the trench collapse, according to OSHA.
The City of El Paso had contracted with the company for pipework in a waterline replacement project.
OSHA said CMD Endeavors allowed the pipe layer to work in an excavation without proper protective equipment.
CMD Endeavors, which serves customers in New Mexico and Texas, has 15 business days to contest the citation and penalties.