Alabama Firm Faces OSHA Fine for Air Force Base Worker’s Death

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited an Alabama company for alleged safety violations at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia that led to a death in March.

OSHA said that ASM-Sanders Inc. of Madison, Ala., used compressed air instead of hydrostatic testing recommended by the manufacturer for leaks in chemical welds of polyvinyl chloride pipes.

The agency says a worker died of a head injury after a chilled water line, which was being tested with compressed air, shattered and struck him. Other alleged violations involved safety standards in the workers’ trench.

OSHA proposed a total of $79,300 in penalties. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply or contest them