W.A. Rasic Construction is a general contractor specializing in infrastructure projects across the Western United States. Their headquarters is located at 4150 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90807. The company has been in operation since 1978 and is known for its diverse expertise in utility construction.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has issued $157,500 in citations to W. A. Rasic Construction for multiple violations of workplace safety regulations following a fatal trench collapse. The incident resulted in the tragic death of an employee working in an unprotected excavation.

On August 28, 2024 Joel Olea Gomez and another worker were in the trench in the Scripps Ranch community in San Diego when a cave-in occurred at about 4 a.m. The men were working on a city water project.The collapse caused a concrete pipe to be displaced.

One of the workers escaped the trench, but 27-year-old Joel Olea Gomez became trapped at the bottom under dirt and a 4-foot-diameter reinforced concrete pipe. He was pronounced dead on the scene by San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel. His body was recovered at about 9 a.m. after an extensive operation. This is the third trench death in California since 2023.

Cal/OSHA’s investigation identified serious violations of workplace safety regulations related to excavation and trench safety.

Violations Identified by Cal/OSHA:

– – Failure to implement an effective injury and illness prevention program: W. A. Rasic Construction did not implement an effective injury and illness prevention program to identify, evaluate, and correct workplace hazards, and provide training, a requirement that has been in place for more than 30 years. This failure exposed employees to the hazards associated with working in an unshored trench.
– – Failure to conduct a proper inspection of the excavation site: The employer’s inspection failed to identify conditions that could lead to dangerous cave-in hazards or the lack of necessary protective systems, such as trench boxes or shoring, which could have prevented the collapse.
– – Failure to Provide Adequate Cave-In Protection: The employer did not provide the necessary cave-in protection for employees working in an excavation approximately 17 feet deep. This critical safety failure exposed workers to the risk of fatal injury, as evidenced by the incident. Employers have the right to appeal any Cal/OSHA citation and notification of penalty by filing an appeal with the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board within 15 working days from the receipt of notification.

Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee said: “No worker should lose their life due to preventable safety failures. We will continue to enforce trench safety regulations, hold employers accountable and work to ensure that safety standards are upheld to protect workers.”

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Employers and workers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can call Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424.