What changed

OSHA cited T & T Pipeline Co. Inc. after a March 2026 fatality at a New Smyrna Beach, Florida, worksite, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Sept. 23.

According to DOL, OSHA found that T & T Pipeline employees were replacing a drill bit on a horizontal drilling machine on March 17 when the pipe stem began to rotate and fatally struck an employee.

OSHA cited the Orlando-based pipeline installation contractor with a willful violation for exposing employees to struck-by hazards when working on a horizontal directional drilling machine. OSHA proposed $165,514 in penalties.

The DOL release is the authoritative record supplied for this brief: http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20260923

What it means for the shop

For contractors whose crews work on or around horizontal directional drilling machines, the cited hazard is specific: OSHA says the fatal struck-by incident occurred during drill-bit replacement when the pipe stem began to rotate.

The case is an enforcement allegation at this stage based on the supplied records. DOL said T & T Pipeline has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

DOL also pointed employers to OSHA’s workplace safety and health program information, compliance assistance resources, and free help on complying with OSHA standards.

What remains unknown

The supplied records do not include the OSHA citation document, inspection number, cited standard, General Duty Clause basis, or required abatement measures.

The supplied records do not show whether T & T Pipeline has paid, settled, requested an informal conference, contested the citation, or received a final order from the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The supplied records do not include a response from T & T Pipeline, prior OSHA history for the company, or the name of the deceased worker.

Evidence

Sources

  1. Primary authority
    dol.gov: US Department of Labor cites Florida pipeline installation contractor for willfully exposing workers to safety hazards after March fatality | U.S. Department of Labor
  2. Primary authority
    dol.gov: Occupational Safety & Health Administration | U.S. Department of Labor
  3. Primary authority
    dol.gov: News Releases | U.S. Department of Labor
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