Macon business fined $300k for ‘willful’ violations in death & injury of 2 workers
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited a Macon company for an incident that cost one person’s life and sent another to the hospital.
The incident happened the morning of August 10 in Perry on Massee Lane when a trench box caved in and buried two construction laborers from Pyles Plumbing and Utility Contractors, according to the OSHA incident report.
One man was found with his face down in water and completely submerged in dirt.
The second man managed to avoid being entirely submerged in the dirt. He was sent to the hospital with injuries to his shoulder, pelvis and legs.
The investigation determined Pyles had three serious violations and two willful ones.
Here are the penalties and violation details:
- $11,292 for serious failure to instruct each employee how to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions.
- $11,292 for seriously not ensuring the employees working in a trench excavation were protected from falling material by the use of head protection. The victims were allowed to work underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment.
- $11,292 for seriously failing to provide a trench shield free from damage and defects. The materials used that day were damaged.
- $161,323 for willfully deviating from the “specifications, recommendations, and limitations determined by the manufacturer of the shoring used to protect employees performing sewer line installation while working inside a 21-feet deep trench excavation” and did not request written approval from the manufacturer. Employees were exposed to engulfment and struck by hazards.
- $112,926 for the willful exposure of employees to cave-in/engulfment hazards. Their exit was located outside the trench box while working inside the trench excavation.
Pyles started out as Sydney Pyles Plumbing & Heating in 1964, working on residential repairs and commercial, residential and industrial installation. The family-owned company switched to focus to strictly commercial plumbing installations and started working in the underground utility field, installing sewers and water systems. The company changed their name to reflect that focus in 2003.
To file a complaint, fill out this online form for safety and health complaint with OSHA and this one for whistleblower complaints. Return the completed form to the region’s OSHA office at 2296 Henderson Mill Road, NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345. You can also call the office at 770-493-6644 or 800-321-6742.
This story was originally published February 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
