A repeated lack of fall protection and failure to protect workers from trench collapses led to some of the largest fines levied by the U.S. Department of Labor and The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in Q1 2024.
Construction Dive recently summarized OSHA’s published information about the highest fines it levied to employers for failing to comply with safety requirements. According to the article, the fines are published as a “means of highlighting standards.”
The highlighted cases often involve builders on residential projects, frequently involving failure to provide fall protection. In the cases where OSHA sees the same companies repeatedly failing to adhere to its standards, citation amounts will increase.
Companies can contest their initial fine amounts, so the numbers listed in OSHA’s published report will not always reflect the total amount they collect, if any fine is collected at all.
Of the six incidents Construction Dive highlights in its reporting, four were for contractors failing to provide their employees with proper fall protection and/or training, and the remaining two were for companies failing to ensure proper protection from trench collapses.
In total, the six incidents netted the respective offenders more than $2,337,000 in fines. Two of the six citations were being contested by their respective contractors at the time of Construction Dive’s reporting.
Fall hazards account for 36.5% of construction-related deaths, which is why they are the top item in OSHA’s “Fatal Four” categories of hazards that cause construction industry fatalities.
OSHA requires the use of fall protection when construction workers are working at heights of six feet or greater above a lower level, and at heights of less than six feet when working near dangerous equipment such as machinery with open drive belts, pulleys or gears, or opened vats of degreasing agents or acid. The agency also identifies certain other areas and activities where fall protection or falling object protection may be needed, such as if a worker is on a ramp, runway or another walkway, at the edge of an excavation, in a hoist area, on a steep roof, near wall openings, etc.
While trenching is not explicitly listed amongst OSHA’s Fatal Four, the agency implemented “Enhanced Enforcement” measures in the wake of what they referred to as an “alarming rise in trench-related fatalities” in 2022.
Those measures appear to be working. National reporting by federal and state OSHA programs show worker deaths in trench collapses declined nearly 70 percent from a high of 39 in 2022 to 15 in 2023 and, according to partial data, 12 in 2024.
OSHA’s trenching standards require protective systems on trenches deeper than five feet and soil and other materials kept at least two feet from the edge of a trench. Additionally, trenches must be inspected by a knowledgeable person, be free of standing water and atmospheric hazards and have a safe means of entering and exiting prior to allowing a worker to enter.
"OSHA stands ready to assist any employer who needs help to comply with our trenching and excavation requirements," Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, Doug Parker, said when OSHA launched its enhanced enforcement measures in 2022. "We will conduct outreach programs, including safety summits, in all of our 10 regions to help ensure any employer who wants assistance gets it. The stakes are too important."
GPRS was founded on the idea of being a safety partner to construction companies across the United States. Safety is always on our radar, which is why in addition to offering services such as subsurface damage prevention and existing conditions documentation designed to protect you and your workers from dangerous mistakes, we also sponsor numerous safety initiatives intended to arm you and your team with the tools and resources you need to leave the job site each day the same way you arrived.
During Concrete Sawing & Drilling Safety Week, our safety experts will come to any of your job sites or meet at your office to perform a presentation on the best ways to safely work with and around concrete.
Construction Safety Week sees us come to you to talk about the safety topics most relevant to your work and your people, from slips, trips & falls to mental health.
And during Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week, we meet with municipalities, engineers, facility managers, and other stakeholders in the water and wastewater management spaces to help them ensure this vital infrastructure continues to function as intended.
Click the links above to schedule your free GPRS safety presentations today, or click here to learn more about all of GPRS’ safety partnerships and initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are OSHA standards for construction sites?
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards for construction sites are regulations designed to ensure the safety and health of workers. These standards cover a wide range of topics, including fall protection, scaffolding, personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard communication, and machinery safety. Compliance with these standards helps prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities on construction sites.
Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with OSHA standards on a construction site?
The responsibility for ensuring compliance with OSHA standards lies with the employer or construction site contractor. Employers must provide a safe work environment, offer necessary training, and ensure that all safety measures and equipment are in place. Workers also have a role in following safety protocols and using the provided PPE to prevent accidents.
What are the penalties for violating OSHA standards on a construction site?
Penalties for violating OSHA standards can range from fines to more serious legal consequences, depending on the severity of the violation. For instance, serious violations can result in fines up to $15,000 per violation. Willful violations can carry even higher fines, and in extreme cases, criminal charges may be brought against employers who willfully endanger worker safety. Regular inspections and reporting can help avoid violations and ensure ongoing compliance.
