What changed

The U.S. Department of Labor said OSHA has cited Always Underground LLC, a Frankfort, Illinois-based utility construction company, for trenching and excavation safety violations and proposed $380,664 in penalties. DOL announced the action on Oct. 21, 2026. Source: http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20261021

According to DOL, OSHA investigators observed employees working in an unprotected trench deeper than eight feet and initiated the inspection under OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Trenching.

OSHA cited the company for three repeat violations: failing to provide workers with a safe means of egress, failing to install a trench protective system to protect against cave-ins, and failing to keep excavated or other materials and equipment at least two feet from the trench edge. OSHA also cited one serious violation for failing to provide protective hardhats against falling objects.

Why it matters for trade owners

For any contractor that puts employees in trenches or excavations, the cited items show the issues OSHA tied to this enforcement action: egress, cave-in protection, material and equipment setback from the trench edge, and head protection from falling objects.

The repeat classification matters because OSHA used it for three of the four cited violations in this case, and the total proposed penalty is $380,664. The supplied DOL release does not identify the prior citations or final orders supporting the repeat classifications.

The case involves a utility construction company. The supplied records do not show that plumbing, electrical, irrigation, drainage, landscaping, or other service contractors were involved in this inspection; the relevance is to any crew that opens or works in trenches.

What remains uncertain

The citations and penalties are proposed, not necessarily final. DOL said Always Underground LLC has 15 business days from receipt to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The supplied records do not include the OSHA inspection number, cited standard numbers, item-by-item penalties, abatement dates, current case status, exact worksite location, or date of OSHA’s observation. They also do not include any response from Always Underground LLC.

DOL advised checking OSHA’s establishment search page periodically for changes in inspection or penalty status. Until OSHA records or an OSHRC docket show the next step, the final penalty amount and final findings remain uncertain.

Evidence

Sources

  1. Primary authority
    dol.gov: US Department of Labor cites Illinois utility construction company for repeated exposure to trenching hazards | U.S. Department of Labor
  2. Primary authority
    dol.gov: US Labor Department's OSHA cites J & S Plumbing of Elk Grove Village, Ill., for failing to protect workers from trench cave-ins
  3. Primary authority
    osha.gov: US Department of Labor cites Pennsylvania excavation employer for failing to provide trench protection following fatal trench cave-in | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  4. Primary authority
    osha.gov: US Department of Labor cites construction contractor with 7 willful, 33 repeat violations after fatal Yarmouth cave-in | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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