Texas Contractor Faces $70K in Penalties for Sixth Trench Hazard Citation

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a willful citation to utility and paving contractor Angel Brothers Enterprises Ltd. for exposing workers to trench hazards at its La Porte, Texas, worksite where workers were seen working in an unprotected excavation site 9-feet deep as they installed storm sewers and adjusting existing underground utilities without any type of shoring, benching or sloping.

This is the sixth time since 2009 that OSHA has cited Angel Brothers. In five of those inspections, the agency issued citations to the company for allowing workers to enter an unprotected trench or excavation. The company has been cited both repeat and willful for this violation in the past. The latest citation carries proposed penalties totaling $70,000.

View the citation

Other previous citations include:

• April 24, 2009; Spring, Texas; two serious violations
• May 12, 2010; Lockhart, Texas; one other-than-serious violation
• August 11, 2011; El Lago, Texas; two serious violations
• May 29, 2014; Baytown, Texas; one repeat and two other-than-serious violations
• August 26, 2014; Baytown, Texas; one willful and three serious violations
• September 16, 2015; Cotulla, Texas; one other-than-serious violation

"Angel Brothers is well aware of the dangers associated with trenching and of OSHA standards. There is absolutely no excuse for continuing to endanger its workers," said Mark Briggs, OSHA's area director in the Houston South office. "It is fortunate our compliance officer was able to catch the violations before someone was buried alive."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.