An investigation after a 23-year-old worker’s death in a trench collapse in Aurora has found that a sewer and water contractor the man worked for did not adequately train and protect its workers.
Coronado Excavation, sewer and water repair services based in Brighton, failed to follow safety standards and properly train employees, according to a U.S. Department of Labor news release.
Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that the contractor exposed workers to trench hazards, the release said.
In December, an unprotected trench at an Aurora residential worksite collapsed killing Marcos Guerro-Badillo at the Eastman Drive worksite.
“The collapse occurred while employees installed residential pipes and their employer failed to use adequate protective systems in the trench as required by law,” the release said.
In addition, “OSHA found Coronado Excavation had not trained workers on trenching and excavation hazards and did not protect them from excavated material falling into the trench nor did they provide safe access to and from the trench.”
The company, which faces $112,508 in proposed penalties, has 15 business days from receipt of citation and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before an OSHA review commission.
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