FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Florida plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after an employee suffered a fatal injury at a Bal Harbor Shops worksite in August 2025.

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that on Aug. 28, 2025, a Hyvac Inc. pipefitter installing a new air-conditioning system for a mall expansion construction project was fatally injured from a pressurized HVAC piping system. 

The employer was cited with two serious violations for exposing workers to struck-by hazards by not verifying piping was free from stored pressure before employees performed work on the system and did not train workers to recognize and avoid hazards associated with removing HVAC end caps on pressurized pipping systems. OSHA proposed $28,135 in penalties.

Hyvac Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case process. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.

Struck-by objects, part of OSHA’s construction “Focus Four,” are among the top four hazards causing many construction-related deaths. Employers may contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

Learn more about OSHA.

LAKE WORTH, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Land O’ Lakes-based petroleum tank services contractor for exposing workers to chemical and respiratory hazards after an employee was fatally exposed to benzene and toluene when they entered a fuel storage tank at a Lake Worth worksite in July 2025.

Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited PCE Petroleum Contractors Enterprises Inc. with 12 serious violations for failing to develop and implement a written permit-required space entry program, ensure those authorized to enter the space knew the hazards, and signs or symptoms of exposure.

The agency also cited the employer for allowing employees to enter a confined space without an atmospheric evaluation or a required permit, not having a written respiratory program for workers required to wear full-face respirators, and not implementing a hazard communication program when exposed to chemicals. 

OSHA proposed $60,242 in penalties.

PCE Petroleum Contractors Enterprises Inc. has contested the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case process. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status. 

Learn more about OSHA, including chemical hazards and toxic substances, respiratory hazards and how the agency regulates worker exposure to chemicals. Employers may contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

MIAMI – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a concrete manufacturer for exposing workers to hazards after an employee suffered fatal injuries after entering the unprotected area of a concrete block cubing machine in July 2025.

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Adonel Concrete Corp. – operating as Adonel Block Manufacturing Corp. – with nine serious violations for inadequate machine guarding, and for failing to ensure lockout/tagout procedures were used, electrical panels were marked and the locking mechanism operational, implement an effective hearing conservation program for workers exposed to high-noise levels, and incorporate silica hazards into the company’s hazard communication program. 

OSHA assessed $58,604 in penalties.

Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.

Learn more about OSHA, including lockout and tagout practices and procedures that safeguard workers from the release of hazardous energy from machines. Employers may contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

DENVER – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited three companies after its investigation determined workers died after exposure to hazardous gas at Prospect Ranch in Weld County, Colorado.

OSHA’s investigation found that on August 20, 2025, a pipe in the manure management system at Prospect Ranch LLC disconnected, releasing manure water and hydrogen sulfide gas. Contractors Fiske Inc. and HD Builders LLC were hired to perform work on the system. A Fiske employee and a Prospect Ranch employee attempted to stop the flow but were overcome by the gas. Subsequently, three more Fiske employees and one Prospect Ranch employee entered the pump room, which led to the loss of a total of six workers. HD Builders employees were present but unharmed.

OSHA cited Prospect Ranch LLC for serious violations including failure to protect workers from atmospheric hazards, have a written hazard communication program and train workers on methods to detect hazardous gases. The company faces $132,406 in proposed penalties. 

The agency also cited Fiske Inc. for serious violations including failure to protect employees from hazardous atmospheres, and failure to provide hydrogen sulfide detection training. OSHA proposed $99,306 in penalties. HD Builders was cited for violations including failure to have a written hazard communication program and failure to provide training on detecting hydrogen sulfide for which OSHA proposed a $14,897 penalty. 

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.

Employers can also contact the agency for information about OSHA's compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

GIBSON CITY, IL – Federal safety inspectors have found a central Illinois grain company endangered workers and violated federal law by failing to properly guard and lockout/tagout dangerous machinery during grain bin entry, which led to a seasonal laborer suffering a serious foot injury. 

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection into Alliance Grain Co. after learning that the seasonal laborer suffered the injury after stepping through an unguarded sump hole and onto a moving paddle style unloading conveyor. 

OSHA issued two willful, one serious, and three other-than-serious citations for failing to lockout/tagout machinery, protect workers from stepping into the sump holes, and provide grain handling training to employees. Additionally, the employer failed to issue permits prior to bin entry, utilize an observer outside the bin, and ensure the bin’s atmosphere was tested before workers entered.

The agency has proposed $276,407 in penalties.

Alliance Grain Co. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

OSHA’s machine guarding, lockout/tagout and grain handling safety webpages provide information on what employers must do to limit worker exposures to machine hazards.

PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited two Pennsylvania employers after a federal investigation into an August 2025 explosion at a United States Steel Corp. worksite that injured 12 and claimed the lives of two employees. 

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded United States Steel Corp. and MPW Industrial Services Inc. exposed workers at the Clairton Coke Works plant to unsafe working conditions including explosion, struck-by, and high-pressure injection hazards.

Federal safety inspectors determined that United States Steel Corp. failed to use required safety management and energy control practices for hazardous work involving flammable gas. OSHA also concluded that cleaning services contractor MPW Industrial Services failed to provide a relief valve for a high-pressure water system and did not coordinate energy control practices for hazardous work involving flammable gas.

OSHA cited United States Steel Corp. with seven serious and one other-than-serious violations and proposed $118,214 in penalties. The agency cited MPW Industrial Services Inc. with four serious and two other-than-serious violations and proposed $61,473 in penalties. 

Both employers have 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status. 

Learn more about OSHA, including controlling hazardous energy, the agency’s general duty clause, permit-required confined spaces, and process safety management.

Employers may contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

BIRMINGHAM, AL – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation found numerous safety hazards at a Mobile worksite where Construction Labor Services Inc. workers were exposed to sewage gases, resulting in two fatalities.

Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that on Aug. 11, 2025, three Construction Labor Services workers were installing and repairing sewer lines inside of a manhole when they were overcome by sewer gas and became unresponsive. One worker regained consciousness and managed to self-rescue, and the two other workers succumbed to their injuries.

Federal safety investigators determined the employer lacked confined space entry programs, procedures, training, and emergency response plans, including plans to determine acceptable entry conditions for confined spaces.

OSHA cited Construction Labor Services Inc. with 16 serious violations and proposed penalties of $257,707.

Construction Labor Services Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case process. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for changes in the inspection or penalty status.

OSHA’s confined workspaces webpage includes information on standard requirements, hazard recognition, and controlling safety hazards. Employers can contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered two Houston-based construction companies and their owners to reinstate and compensate two workers who were fired for raising asbestos concerns during repair of a hotel after Hurricane Beryl.

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated a whistleblower complaint by the terminated employees of Rise Construction LLC, owned by Jivar Foty, and Niko Group LLC, owned by Jessica Foty. 

The two employees alleged they were fired after raising concerns to the owners about lack of training, asbestos certification, personal protective equipment, and illegal dumping of asbestos. OSHA found that the terminations were in retaliation for making protected complaints under the Clean Air Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and Toxic Substances Control Act, and ordered reinstatement of the two employees and payment of more than $200,000 in back wages and interest, as well as compensatory and punitive damages. 

OSHA enforces 25 whistleblower statutes that protect employees from retaliation for reporting potential violations involving safety, health, environmental protection, and other public interest concerns. 

For information on whistleblower protections, visit OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Programs webpage.

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Editor's note: The U.S. Department of Labor does not release the names of employees involved in whistleblower complaints.

FREMONT, NE - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Horizon Biofuels Inc. for willful and serious safety violations after a deadly explosion at the company’s Fremont facility in July 2025.An investigation was initiated on July 29, 2025, following the explosion that caused fatal injuries to a worker. OSHA cited Horizon Biofuels for violations including combustible dust buildup, failure to ensure equipment within the facility was protected from creating an ignition source and lack of fall protection for employees working at heights greater than four feet. The citations carry $147,542 in proposed penalties.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.

Learn more about OSHA and combustible dust safety standards. Employers can also contact the agency for information about OSHA's compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

BIRMINGHAM – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation has found numerous safety hazards at a civil construction employer’s worksite following a trench collapse in Jefferson County. 

The department’sOccupational Safety and Health Administration investigators found CB&A Construction LLC workers removed and installed drain pipes for Jefferson County under a suspended load, without hard hats, and at the edge of an excavation that lacked protective restraints.

OSHA cited CB&A Construction with a willful violation and proposed $170,145 in penalties.

CB&A Construction LLC has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case process. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.

OSHA’s trenching and excavation webpage includes information on standard requirements, hazard recognition, and controlling safety hazards. Employers can contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards. The investigation is part of OSHA’s national emphasis program that focuses resources on high-hazard industries to avoid injuries and fatalities.