OSHA has cited Silverton Construction Co., El Paso, Texas, for safety and health violations and proposed penalties of $103,000.
Silverton Construction Co., employs approximately 200 workers and has had two previous OSHA inspections.
The alleged violations were discovered during an inspection that took place on Nov. 22, 1999 when the El Paso Fire Department rescued an employee who had been engulfed by a trench cave-in.
Allegedly, the employer failed to provide employee protection by not keeping and using excavated material at least 2 feet from the edge of the excavation, or by using retaining devices.
The company was also cited for failing to remove its employees from the hazard and failing to provide cave-in protection for employees working in a trench.
The Lubbock OSHA office has developed a local emphasis program to address unsafe construction work sites.
Silverton has 15 working days, from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal hearing with the Lubbock area director, or to contest the citations and penalties.
by Virginia Sutcliffe