Department of Labor investigation of trench fatality finds El Paso contractor repeatedly, willfully failed to follow federal safety measures

An El Paso contractor could have prevented a 37-year-old employee from suffering fatal injuries in February 2024 by following federally required safety standards to avoid trench collapses, the same failure for which the U.S. Department of Labor has cited the employer six times since 2015.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Las Cruces Digest to cover stories originating in our bigger sibling city down the road; however, sometimes events that occur in El Paso have implications for our broader community. We are grateful for any news stories about the greater Las Cruces area covered by El Paso news outlets–television newscasts, in particular. In some small way, we hope to return the favor with posts such as this one. –Editor, Las Cruces Digest

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined a pipe layer for CMD Endeavors Inc. was allowed to work in an excavation without a proper protective system. The trench collapsed, causing piece of asphalt to fall and severely injure the worker who later died in an area hospital. The City of El Paso had contracted the company for pipework for the Cedar Grove Waterline Replacement project, part of an ongoing citywide initiative. “Despite repeated citations and warnings about the dangers of unprotected trenches, CMD Endeavors has ignored the hazards for nearly a decade, and now an employee has lost their life,” explained OSHA Area Director Diego Alvarado, Jr. in El Paso, Texas. “Rather than protecting its workers from this workplace hazard, the company did nothing to prevent this tragedy and leaves a family, friends and co-workers to grieve a needless loss.”

Subscribe to the Daily Las Cruces Digest

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *How would you like to be addressed in personalized emails?

/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things – do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

OSHA issued citations to CMD Endeavors for one willful and one serious violation and two repeat violations related to its failures to provide adequate systems to prevent trench cave-ins, stop nearby materials from falling into the trench, ensure a trench exit within 25 feet, and support adjacent pavement. The company faces $260,848 in proposed penalties. Established in 2009, CMD Endeavors Inc. is a general contractor providing public and private sector clients with heavy construction, earthwork, site-work and water and wastewater utility infrastructure projects. The company serves clients from West Texas to Southern New Mexico.CMD Endeavors 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.

Article posted by:

Levi Gwaltney

Levi Gwaltney is the Editor In Chief of Las Cruces Digest. The Editor makes editorial and posting decisions regarding content published on this site. In most cases, the Editor makes little if any contribution to content published, and takes no credit for the content of republished posts. If available, the source or author of posts is provided at the top of the article.

Vamos a chismear…

• Facebook
• Pinterest
• LinkedIn
• Mail
• Print

• December 21, 2024
  

  TTB Establishes ‘American Single Malt Whisky’ Standard of Identity

• December 23, 2024
  

  NMSU Alum Diego Pavia Lights the Way For Future Student Athletes–Read the Entire Court Ruling Here

BACK

---