Construction work can be dangerous work, and certain types of construction are more dangerous than others. Although building cabinets, for instance, poses risks, working on rooftops is far more risky. Trenching and working underground are among the more dangerous types of construction work.

Recently, a company on a Niagara Falls work site was cited for exposing workers to hazards in an excavation.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Accadia Site Contracting, Inc. exposed workers to hazards in a trench. The workers were found in a 7-foot-deep excavation site that lacked cave-in protections. Contrary to OSHA’s mandated standards, there were no ladders every 25 feet to ensure swift evacuation, and more than 8 inches of water had accumulated in the trench, further increasing the risk of an accident.

“An unprotected excavation can turn into a grave in seconds, crushing and burying workers beneath tons of soil before they have an opportunity to react or escape,” said OSHA’s area director Arthur Dube. “These workers were fortunate—not lucky, because workplace safety must never be dependent on luck—that they were not injured or killed.”

The company now faces nearly $85,000 in proposed fines for one willful citation and two serious citations. Along with the report detailing this particular job site, OSHA is calling on all area trenching and excavating companies to ensure safety, saying that warmer weather and the thawing of previously frozen soil could increase cave-in hazards.

“Before any employee enters an excavation to perform work, the employer must ensure that the excavation is properly safeguarded against collapse, the employees are trained to recognize and avoid cave-in hazards and all required equipment is present and properly maintained,” said Dube.

Construction companies have a duty to ensure that their workers are following all safety regulations. When they do not, they can be held responsible for any accidents that happen. If a worker is seriously injured when a trench collapses, a claim can be filed with the site owner or contractors for compensation for the resulting injuries and more. This is in addition to the fines and citations from a regulatory agency like OSHA.

New York and New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyers

If you are seriously hurt in a construction accident, the attorneys with Ginarte may be able to help. Contact our New York and New Jersey construction accident lawyers today for a consultation on your case by calling (888) GINARTE.