It’s that simple: Every time you look the other way when you spot a safety violation you’re putting your co-worker, the project, and the company at risk. Following an investigation into the deaths of two men, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) fined Atlantic Coast Utilities LLC/Advanced Utilities Inc., (predecessor company Shannon Construction Company, successor company Sterling Excavation LLC) and company owner Laurence Molony $1.35 million.
Construction industry journalist and Construction Dive associate editor Matthew Thibault attempted to learn more. He tried to contact the company and its owner but was told he called “a wrong number.”
The two employees, 27-year-old Jordy Alexander Castaneda Romera and 33-year-old Juan Carlos Figueroa Gutierrez were struck by a dump truck that pushed them into a 9-foot-deep trench…OSHA cited the contractor for 28 willful, repeat, serious, and other-than-serious violations, according to a Department of Labor press release. -Construction Dive
Owner Laurence Maloney had been previously investigated six times and received 14 citations prior to incident. OSHA told WBUR News of Boston Maloney “knowingly” disregarded safety guidelines. He also dodged fines by shutting down his businesses and re-opening under a new name.
The citations included:
- Failure to conduct onsite hazards inspections
- No employee training
- No safety training to avoid work-related hazards,
In an August 18, 2021 Associated Press statement, Atlantic Coast Utilities LLC said:
The company will assess the actions taken by OSHA
…and will determine its next steps, including contesting any assertion of company error or negligence.
…This was a tragic accident and any attempt to portray it otherwise is both inaccurate and imprudent.
“Two hardworking people lost their lives because Atlantic Coast Utilities put its own profits over workers’ safety and health,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. Maloney’s prior fines totaled $81,242. He has paid $7,700. Atlantic Coast Utilities LLC is also under investigation for possible violation of the federal wage law.
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