The U.S. Department of Labor assessed combined penalties of $648,094 against six construction employers working on the Monroe Commons project in Monroe, New York. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations for excavation hazards at the Magna Square development site, which is planned as a 4-story, 408,000-square-foot mixed-use building featuring retail space, offices, and a 39-room hotel on an 18-acre lot.
What it means
Inspectors found that the excavation at the site included a steep embankment nearly 75 feet high that was not adequately sloped or shored. The dig reached depths between 21 and 75 feet. OSHA issued 23 serious citations and five willful citations for failures to protect workers from cave-ins, struck-by incidents, falling or rolling rock and soil, and chemical hazards. The agency also cited employers for failing to ensure daily inspections by a competent person.
Advanced Plan and Build LLC received the largest penalty at $175,444, followed by Parkstone Inc. and Obstacle Systems Inc., which operate as Drip Drop Waterproofing Inc., with a combined fine of $198,615. The Paving Masters LLC was fined $188,684. Century Max Industries Corp. faced a $46,340 penalty, DelValle Contractor was assessed $19,151, and Prime Structure Inc. received a $19,860 fine. Advanced Plan and Build and The Paving Masters were cited for willful failure to have the excavation designed by a registered professional engineer. All cited employers have 15 business days to comply with the orders, request a conference, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Key facts
- $648,094: Total proposed penalties for six employers
- Monroe Commons project (Magna Square development): Location of violations in Monroe, New York
- 23 serious citations and 5 willful citations issued by OSHA
- Hazards included cave-ins, struck-by incidents, falling rock/soil, and chemical exposure
- Excavation depths ranged from 21 to 75 feet with an unstable embankment nearly 75 feet high
- $198,615 penalty for Parkstone Inc. and Obstacle Systems Inc.
- $188,684 penalty for The Paving Masters LLC
- $175,444 penalty for Advanced Plan and Build LLC
- Employers have 15 business days to respond or contest findings
Source: U.S. Department of Labor news release