Javier Romero : San Francisco Construction Company Cited for Fatal Trench Collapse

By | April 18, 2024

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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Construction company safety violations San Francisco
2. Cal/OSHA citation trench collapse incident

A tragic incident occurred in San Francisco last year when a construction worker lost his life in a trench collapse. D’Arcy & Harty Construction Inc. has been fined $371,000 for safety violations leading to the worker’s death. The company failed to provide a protective system for employees in the trench and a means of escape, despite prior warnings. CAL/OSHA emphasized the importance of evaluating, shoring, or shielding trenches before workers enter to prevent such avoidable tragedies. The victim, 25-year-old Javier Romero from Alameda County, was working on a sewer rehabilitation project when the incident occurred. This serves as a reminder of the importance of workplace safety measures.

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1. San Francisco construction accident
2. Cal/OSHA trench collapse regulations

The Tragic Incident in San Francisco

In a devastating turn of events, a construction worker lost his life when the trench he was working in collapsed in San Francisco. The incident took place on September 28, 2023, at the intersection of Oak and Divisadero streets. The worker, identified as Javier Romero from Alameda County, tragically became trapped under 8 feet of dirt due to the collapse of the trench.

Cal/OSHA Citations and Fines

Following the tragic incident, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) conducted an investigation into the circumstances that led to Romero’s death. D’Arcy & Harty Construction Inc., the company responsible for the construction site, was found to have committed “willful-serious” safety violations that contributed to the worker’s untimely demise.

Cal/OSHA officials announced on Thursday that D’Arcy & Harty Construction Inc. has been fined a substantial sum of $371,000 for their negligence. The company was cited for failing to provide a protective system for employees working in the trench and for neglecting to have a means of escape, such as a ladder, in case of a collapse. These were hazards that the employer had been warned about weeks prior to the incident.

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Project

Romero was part of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Panhandle and Inner Sunset Large Sewer Rehabilitation Project at the time of the accident. The project aimed to upgrade existing sewer mains and sewer laterals in the area, a crucial infrastructure initiative for the city.

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Acting CAL/OSHA Chief Debra Lee emphasized the importance of ensuring safety measures in excavation sites, stating, “Excavations are known hazards, and trenches must be evaluated, shored, or shielded before workers enter to protect them. This worker’s death is tragic because it was avoidable.”

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

The unfortunate loss of Javier Romero serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in construction work, particularly in excavation sites. Employers must prioritize the safety of their workers by adhering to strict safety protocols and providing necessary protective equipment.

As the investigation into the incident continues, authorities are urging construction companies to review their safety procedures and ensure compliance with all regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The construction industry plays a vital role in building and maintaining our infrastructure, and the well-being of workers should always be a top priority.