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Showing posts from January, 2026

US Department of Labor cites Alabama contractor for exposing workers to sewage gas that resulted in 2 fatalities

US Department of Labor cites Alabama contractor for exposing workers to sewage gas that resulted in 2 fatalities BIRMINGHAM, AL – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation found numerous safety hazards at a Mobile worksite where Construction Labor Services Inc. workers were exposed to sewage gases, resulting in two fatalities.Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that on Aug. 11, 2025, three Construction Labor Services workers were installing and repairing sewer lines inside of a manhole when they were overcome by sewer gas and became unresponsive. One worker regained consciousness and managed to self-rescue, and the two other workers succumbed to their injuries.Federal safety investigators determined the employer lacked confined space entry programs, procedures, training, and emergency response plans, including plans to determine acceptable entry conditions for confined spaces.OSHA cited Construction Labor Services Inc. with 1...

US Department of Labor investigation finds Birmingham construction company willfully exposed workers to trench collapse at Bessemer worksite

US Department of Labor investigation finds Birmingham construction company willfully exposed workers to trench collapse at Bessemer worksite BIRMINGHAM – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation has found numerous safety hazards at a civil construction employer’s worksite following a trench collapse in Jefferson County. The department’sOccupational Safety and Health Administration investigators found CB&A Construction LLC workers removed and installed drain pipes for Jefferson County under a suspended load, without hard hats, and at the edge of an excavation that lacked protective restraints.OSHA cited CB&A Construction with a willful violation and proposed $170,145 in penalties.CB&A Construction LLC has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may...

New York roofing contractor enters into settlement agreement with US Department of Labor after willfully failing to protect worker in 2021 fatal fall

New York roofing contractor enters into settlement agreement with US Department of Labor after willfully failing to protect worker in 2021 fatal fall NEW YORK – A Long Island roofing contractor has entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to resolve willful safety violations found after an employee sustained fatal injuries from an 18-foot fall through an unprotected skylight in August 2021. An investigation by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that DME Construction Associates Inc. exposed workers to falls of up to 22 feet at unguarded roof openings and roof edges. OSHA found that the employer failed to provide any personal fall protection equipment to employees at the Oyster Bay municipal building worksite where workers were replacing a steel roof decking.The settlement affirms all citations issued to DME Construction Associates, including nine willful violations, eight of which were egregious per-instance citati...

ICYMI: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer meets with apprentices, construction workers during 4-state ‘America at Work’ swing

ICYMI: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer meets with apprentices, construction workers during 4-state ‘America at Work’ swing WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer completed a four-state swing through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska as she nears the end of her 50-state “America at Work” listening tour, meeting with construction workers, business leaders, local officials, healthcare workers, and apprentices as part of her promise to speak directly with the hardworking men and women who keep our nation running strong. “Whether it’s the students who are excited about getting their foot in the door through apprenticeship opportunities, or the business leaders who get to grow and expand their footprint thanks to President Trump’s pro-worker policies, hardworking Americans across the country are excited to have an Administration dedicated to putting them first,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “I’m going to continue these conversations so I can go ...

Department of Labor, Methuen Obayashi Joint Venture partner to promote safety, health during Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Project

Department of Labor, Methuen Obayashi Joint Venture partner to promote safety, health during Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Project CONCORD, NH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has signed a strategic partnership with the Methuen Obayashi Joint Venture to promote worker safety and health during construction of the Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Project in Manchester.The project will modernize Manchester’s drainage system to reduce sewer overflows with the construction of a gravity-fed stormwater conveyance tunnel. OSHA’s partnership with the civil construction company seeks to prevent workers’ exposure to gas, pressurized zones, confined spaces and struck-by incidents, and ensure the use of shoring and protective systems in excavations.The initiative will also assist contractors in developing and implementing safety and health management systems and train subcontractors on recognizing hazards when working in and around construction sites...

Court orders California construction contractor to pay $770K in back wages, damages after federal investigation finds minimum wage, overtime violations

Court orders California construction contractor to pay $770K in back wages, damages after federal investigation finds minimum wage, overtime violations ESCONDIDO, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment requiring an Escondido drywall construction contractor to pay $790,000 in back wages, damages, and penalties after a federal investigation found the employer failed to pay the federally required minimum wage and overtime to 580 workers.The court action follows an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division into Innovative Wall Systems Inc. – operating as Alta Drywall. Federal investigators found that the employer did not accurately keep records of hours worked, including pre- and post-shift work, travel between jobsites, or work performed on Saturdays. The employer also neglected to pay workers the required overtime rate of time-and-one-half for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek, resulting in Fair Labor Standards Act minimum wag...