US Department of Labor fines Houston utility contractor $343K after worker hospitalized following excavation collapse at Brazoria County work site

US Department of Labor fines Houston utility contractor $343K after worker hospitalized following excavation collapse at Brazoria County work site HOUSTON – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation concluded that a Houston utility construction company exposed employees to safety hazards after an excavation collapse hospitalized a worker.The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an investigation into Blazey Construction Services LLC following the incident, which occurred while crews were installing sewer and water pipes for a residential development in Alvin, Texas. OSHA determined that the employer failed to adequately protect the excavation, provide a safe means of egress, and report the hospitalization within 24 hours as required by federal law. OSHA cited Blazey Construction Services for two repeat violations and one other-than-serious violation and proposed $343,797 in proposed penalties.The company has 15 business days from receipt of ...

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 16 serious violations and proposed penalties of $257,707.Construction Labor Services Inc. 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 be adjusted throughout the course of the case process. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for changes in the inspection or penalty status.OSHA’s confined workspaces webpage includes information on standard requirements, hazard recognition, and controlling safety hazards. Employers can contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

Published at February 17, 2026 at 04:00AM
Read more at https://dol.gov

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Settlement affirms willful OSHA violations, $215K penalties, against contractors for fall hazards at multiple New Jersey work sites

St. Louis contractor faces $258K in fines after exposing roofing workers to potentially deadly fall hazards 5 times in 7 weeks at Wentzville worksites

US Department of Labor awards $86M to 14 states for investment in skills training programs for critical in-demand, emerging industries