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 Florida air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after worker fatality

US Department of Labor cites Florida air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after worker fatality
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Florida plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after an employee suffered a fatal injury at a Bal Harbor Shops worksite in August 2025.The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that on Aug. 28, 2025, a Hyvac Inc. pipefitter installing a new air-conditioning system for a mall expansion construction project was fatally injured from a pressurized HVAC piping system. The employer was cited with two serious violations for exposing workers to struck-by hazards by not verifying piping was free from stored pressure before employees performed work on the system and did not train workers to recognize and avoid hazards associated with removing HVAC end caps on pressurized pipping systems. OSHA proposed $28,135 in penalties.Hyvac Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of the 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 any changes in the inspection or penalty status.Struck-by objects, part of OSHA’s construction “Focus Four,” are among the top four hazards causing many construction-related deaths. Employers may contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.Learn more about OSHA.

Published at 2026-03-04T12:00:00Z
Read more at https://dol.gov

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