Sioux Falls contractor dinged for workplace hazard violations on back-to-back days
Inspectors reported seeing Siteworks employee working in unprotected trench
A Sioux Falls construction company has been fined $85,000 for a pair of workplace hazard violations that occurred one day apart, according to federal inspection records.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Monday announced Siteworks Inc. has been cited for allegedly subjecting workers to potentially deadly electrocution and trench cave-in hazards.
On Aug. 18, 2022, OSHA inspectors were on a worksite near the intersection of 57th Street and South Mellenberndt Place after learning a work crew had struck an overhead power line while digging trenches to install storm sewer lines, according to a release. OSHA determined the company failed to take required steps to protect employees working near energized electrical powerlines from dangerous electric shock.
A day later, OSHA inspectors reported seeing a Siteworks employee installing water lines while working in an unprotected trench at 41st Street and Valleyview Road and found Siteworks failed to protect workers as required against trench collapses and cave-ins.
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