US DOL Cites Contractors for Exposing Workers to Excavation Hazards Following Worker Fatality at Philadelphia Construction Site

Philadelphia, PA (WorkersCompensation.com) - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection on July 27, 2021, at the site of a new Amazon facility in Philadelphia after an excavation wall collapsed trapping a worker. General contractor Gilbane Building Co. hired Mayfield Site Contractors Inc. to excavate soil and construct a retaining wall near a vertical shear cut excavation measuring approximately 200 feet in length and between 15 to 25 feet high. Four laborers working for Mayfield were manually leveling a bed of stone behind and on top of the retaining wall blocks in front of the 20-foot shear wall, when the shear excavated wall collapsed on one employee and resulted in fatal crushing injuries.

OSHA found Mayfield Site Contractors Inc. and Gilbane Building Co. did not adequately protect employees from the excavated wall when they were working in front of it. Both Mayfield Site Contractors Inc. and Gilbane Building Co. have filed letters of contest.

Quote: “Mayfield Site Contractors and Gilbane Building Co. did not provide the proper protection for the workers, resulting in a senseless loss of life,” said Theresa Downs, OSHA Area Director in Philadelphia. “When employers fail to meet OSHA standards, we will hold them accountable.” 

Citations issued:        Mayfield Site Contractors Inc.

                                     One willful and three serious violations

                                     Proposed penalty: $175,480

                                     Gilbane Building Co.

                                     One serious violation

                                     Proposed penalty: $14,502

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