OSHA Cites M&G Equipment Group in Texas; Proposes $53.5K Fine

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited M&G Equipment Group Ltd., doing business as M Construction in Alamo, Texas, with two alleged willful and six alleged serious violations following the death of an employee who was working in a trench installing a storm drainage system.

OSHA’s Corpus Christi Area Office began its investigation on March 5 at South Tower Road in Alamo. Two willful violations were issued for failure to provide workers with adequate protection from a possible trench cave-in and failure of a competent person to take action where there was evidence of a possible trench cave-in.

Serious citations were issued for failure to provide workers with safe egress when working in a trench, keep excavated soil a safe distance from a trench, use a properly designed trench shield, and ensure workers are trained on excavation hazards.

Proposed penalties total $53,550. OSHA standards mandate that all excavations five feet or deeper be protected against collapse.

M&G Equipment Group develops commercial and residential construction projects, and employs about 15 workers.

Source: OSHA