Smithfield firm cited by OSHA (willful and serious violations a total of $216,000 in proposed penalt

[Omaha Steve]

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited John Rocchio Corp. of Smithfield for alleged willful and serious violations of excavation safety standards at a North Kingstown work site. The company faces a total of $216,000 in proposed penalties.

Responding to a report of unsafe conditions at a water-line installation on Davisville Road, OSHA inspectors found two John Rocchio Corp. employees working in an 8-foot-deep excavation that lacked cave-in protection. There was neither a ladder at the excavation site nor any other safe method to exit, and a pile of excavated materials was stored at its edge. OSHA standards require that all excavations 5 feet or deeper be protected against collapse, excavated materials be stored at least 2 feet from the edge, and there be a safe means of entering and exiting the excavation.

As a result of these conditions, OSHA issued John Rocchio Corp. three willful citations carrying $210,000 in proposed fines. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

The company has also been issued two serious citations, with $6,000 in fines, for allowing water to accumulate in the excavation and lack of hard hats for employees exposed to overhead hazards. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to meet with OSHA or to contest them to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA’s Providence area office, [phone].