Contractor Again Exposed Workers to Cave-In, Excavation Hazards: OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported that it has again cited an Easton, Connecticut concrete and earthwork contractor for willfully failing to protect workers from cave-in and excavation hazards

OSHA has proposed more than $1.2 million in fines after a follow-up inspection uncovered numerous willful violations at Sound Construction Inc..

In December 2023, OSHA officials responded to a workplace fatality at a New Canaan worksite that claimed the life of a worker. As a result of that investigation, OSHA cited the employer for two willful and five serious violations and entered into a settlement agreement. The agreement required the owner to submit monthly lists of active worksites and allow OSHA to randomly inspect them to determine trenching and excavation safety standard compliance.

On June 12, 2025, OSHA initiated an inspection at a Sound Construction site in Stamford and cited the employer for seven willful and four serious violations related to excavation hazards. OSHA inspectors said they found the employer failed to train workers on unsafe trenching and excavation hazards, provide adequate protection from cave-ins, require daily excavation inspections, follow trench shield installation standards, and backfill shields to prevent hazardous movement.

OSHA proposed $1,224,798 in penalties for violations found in the follow-up inspection.

Sound Cinstruxtion has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before OSHA’s independent review commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case process.

Source: OSHA