California Cites Contractor $157K Following Fatal Trench Accident

A construction company was fined $157,500 by California for multiple violations of workplace safety regulations following a fatal trench collapse.

W.A. Rasic Construction was fined by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health incident over the death of an employee working in an unprotected excavation on Aug. 28, 2024, according to Cal/OSHA.

The worker was reportedly inside a 17-foot-deep trench when a portion of it collapsed and caused a concrete pipe to be displaced, pinning and killing the employee.

Cal/OSHA’s investigation identified serious violations of workplace safety regulations related to excavation and trench safety.

Reported Cal/OSHA include:

• Failure to implement an effective injury and illness prevention program. W. A. Rasic Construction did not implement an effective injury and illness prevention program to identify, evaluate, and correct workplace hazards, and provide training. The failure exposed employees to the hazards associated with working in an unshored trench.
• The employer failed to conduct a proper site inspection and failed to identify conditions that could lead to dangerous cave-in hazards or the lack of necessary protective systems, such as trench boxes or shoring.
• The employer did not provide the necessary cave-in protection for employees working in an excavation roughly 17 feet deep. This safety failure exposed workers to the risk of fatal injury, as evidenced by the incident.

Employers have the right to appeal any Cal/OSHA citation and notification of penalty by filing an appeal with the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board within 15 working days from the receipt of notification.

Topics California Contractors