The deaths of two employees of a Bronx water and sewer contractor at a construction site at John F. Kennedy International Airport could have been prevented with proper safeguards, according to investigators with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
On April 3, 2023, the two employees were attempting to remove soil from below a concrete slab located within a trench when the slab broke apart and collapsed, fatally crushing both workers.
OSHA inspectors found that their employer, Triumph Construction Corp., failed to support the concrete slab, exposing both employees to the danger of a collapse. The company also failed to Instruct employees on safe methods to remove the slab and provide supervision to ensure those methods were followed and construct the excavation’s protective system based on designs in accordance with OSHA standards, according to OSHA.
As a result of these violations, OSHA has cited the company for four serious violations with $59,153 in proposed penalties.
“Working in excavations is inherently dangerous. Demolition of existing structures must be carefully planned, and shoring systems must be built according to their design. Employers are obligated to make a good faith effort to recognize, evaluate and control workplace hazards throughout the course of the work and as conditions change, which Triumph did not do,” said Kevin Sullivan, OSHA’s Long Island and Queens area director.
Triumph Construction has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before an independent OSHA commission.
Topics Aviation Contractors
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