The US Department of Labor has cited six construction employers following an investigation into excavation safety hazards at the Monroe Commons development in Monroe, New York.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued 23 serious and five willful citations, proposing combined penalties of $648,094 for failures involving excavation stability, falling materials and chemical exposure.
Investigation identifies major excavation hazards
OSHA responded to allegations of collapse and struck by hazards at the development, also known as Magna Square.
The proposed development includes a four storey, 408,000 square foot commercial building containing retail and office space alongside a 39 room hotel.
Investigators identified an unstable excavation embankment approaching 75 feet in height that lacked adequate sloping or shoring. The excavation ranged from 21 to 75 feet deep.
Employers cited for safety failures
General contractor Advanced Plan and Build LLC and subcontractors Parkstone Inc., Obstacle Systems Inc. and The Paving Masters LLC received wilful citations for exposing workers to excavation hazards.
Advanced Plan and Build and The Paving Masters were also cited for failing to ensure excavation designs were prepared by a registered professional engineer.
Other contractors received serious citations involving excavation protection, fall prevention and chemical hazards.
OSHA also identified failures to conduct daily excavation inspections by a competent person.
Penalties issued to construction contractors
Proposed penalties include $198,615 for Parkstone Inc. and Obstacle Systems Inc., $188,684 for The Paving Masters and $175,444 for Advanced Plan and Build.
Century Max Industries Corp. faces $46,340, Prime Structure Inc. $19,860 and DelValle Contractor $19,151.
Employers given opportunity to contest
The employers have 15 business days from receiving their citations to comply, request an informal OSHA conference or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The proposed penalties remain subject to the applicable review process.
