ConDig (15-Oct-18). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined a Harmony, Pennsylvania-based contractor $331,101 after an employee was fatally electrocuted on a construction project in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

OSHA said that the incident occurred when employees of Insight Pipe Contracting LLC were making a trenchless sewer repair, with two other workers hospitalized after receiving electrical shocks while attempting to assist the fatally electrocuted man.

The agency cited Insight Pipe Contracting LLC for failing to develop and implement procedures for confined space entry; train employees on confined space hazards; conduct atmospheric testing before permitting entry into a sewer line; use a retrieval line and complete proper permits.

OSHA placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

“Electrocution is one of the leading causes of death in the construction industry,” said OSHA Pittsburgh area office director Christopher Robinson.

“Complying with OSHA safety and health standards is not optional. Employers are required to take necessary precautions to prevent tragedies such as this.”

Insight Pipe Contracting LLC has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Last month, OSHA fined a Connecticut-based L.L.E. Construction LLC $146,554 for exposing workers to fall hazards.

It also fined five construction companies a total of $86,658 following a pedestrian bridge collapse in Florida in March that resulted in the death of one employee and serious injuries to five others.