OSHA cites South Carolina contractor for exposing workers to cave-in and struck-by hazards at work site in Pooler, Georgia

Employer name: Jordan Construction Co. of Hilton Head Inc.

Inspection site: At the time of the inspection, workers were installing sewer lines at the intersection of North and West Godley Station Roads, Pooler, Georgia 31322.

Date inspection initiated: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated the Oct. 8, 2014 inspection as part of the agency's National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation.

Inspection findings: OSHA issued the employer two willful citations for allowing employees to work in an excavation without cave-in protection and not ensuring the soil pile was at least 2-feet from the excavation edge. OSHA requires that all trenches and excavation sites 5-feet or deeper be protected against sidewall collapses. Protection may be provided through shoring of trench walls, sloping of the soil at a shallow angle or by using a protective trench box. Additionally, two serious violations include failing to provide a safe entrance and exit from the trench and not requiring employees to wear head protection while working in a trench where falling objects could result in injury.

Quote: "Excavation and trenching are among the most dangerous construction operations, and cave-ins can place workers at risk for serious injury or death." Jordan Construction chose to intentionally ignore OSHA regulations and exposed their employees to these life-threatening hazards," said Robert Vazzi, OSHA's area director in Savannah.

Proposed penalties: $46,800

The citations can be viewed at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20150462fs.pdf

Jordan Construction has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Savannah Area Office at 912-652-4393.