Oklahoma Construction Company Faces $370,000 OSHA Penalty
An Oklahoma construction company faces proposed penalties of $370,347 after a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation found that the company failed to prevent a sudden start-up of a conveyor system that contributed to an 18-year-old worker’s fatal injuries after he was pulled into a hot asphalt silo as he tried to remove debris from the conveyor on Nov. 2, 2021.
The OSHA opened an investigation at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based TJ Campbell Construction Co. and determined the conveyor system was not locked out/tagged out to avoid accidental startups. OSHA issued willful citations for failing to develop and use procedures for controlling hazardous energy when servicing or cleaning the asphalt conveyor system, and not training workers adequately on requirements for controlling hazardous energy.
In addition to the willful citations, OSHA cited the company for the following:
- Permitting unguarded pulleys, chain and sprockets on walking and working surfaces.
- Failing to apply energy isolation devices.
- Missing handrails on stairways.
- Uncovered holes in the floor of walking working surfaces.
T.J. Campbell Construction, a subsidiary of DUIT Holdings Inc., is an asphalt and concrete paving contractor. The company has experience with highway, street and site infrastructure for commercial developments, as well as construction services for construction and reconstruction.