Breland Homes Cited 8 Serious Violations After Construction Worker Fatality
Summary
OSHA cited Breland Homes Inc. with eight serious safety violations and proposed $115,855 in penalties following an investigation into a December 2025 trench collapse that killed a construction laborer in Madison County. Investigators found the employer exposed workers to multiple hazards including allowing the decedent to work in an unprotected trench, failure to train workers on trenching hazards, and permitting work without protective helmets and with damaged equipment.
What changed
OSHA completed an investigation into a December 2025 trench collapse fatality at a Madison County subdivision and cited Breland Homes Inc. with eight serious violations. The violations include allowing a worker to perform duties in an unprotected and unsupported trench section, failing to train workers on recognizing unsafe trenching conditions, permitting workers to work without protective helmets, and allowing work with a damaged ladder.
Affected employers in the construction industry should review their trenching and excavation safety protocols, ensure workers receive proper hazard recognition training, and verify all required protective equipment is in good condition. Companies receiving OSHA citations have 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
What to do next
- Review OSHA citations within 15 business days
- Comply with citations, request an informal conference, or contest before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
Penalties
$115,855 total proposed penalties for eight serious violations
Archived snapshot
Apr 17, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
OSHA News Release - Birmingham Region
U.S. Department of Labor
HUNTSVILLE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Huntsville-based home builder with eight serious safety violations after an investigation into a worker's fatality in December 2025 found the employer exposed construction workers to multiple safety hazards during groundwork prep.
April 16, 2026
US Department of Labor investigation finds Alabama construction company exposed workers to trenching hazards following fatal incident
HUNTSVILLE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Huntsville-based home builder with eight serious safety violations after an investigation into a worker's fatality in December 2025 found the employer exposed construction workers to multiple safety hazards during groundwork prep.
Investigators with the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration learned that workers for Breland Homes Inc. were installing a sewage drainpipe in a Madison County subdivision when a trench collapsed on a construction laborer.
OSHA concluded that Breland Homes had allowed the decedent to work in an unprotected and unsupported section of the trench. In addition, OSHA found multiple safety violations, including failure to train workers to recognize unsafe conditions in trenching, allowing workers to conduct duties without protective helmets, and permitting employees to conduct work with a damaged ladder.
OSHA cited Breland Homes Inc. with eight serious violations and proposed $115,855 in penalties.
Breland Homes 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. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case process. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.
OSHA's trenching and excavation webpage includes information on standard requirements, hazard recognition, and controlling safety hazards. Employers can contact the agency for information about OSHA's compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.
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Media Contacts:
Erika B. Ruthman, 678-237-0630, ruthman.erika.b@dol.gov
Eric R. Lucero, 678-237-0630, lucero.eric.r@dol.gov
Juan J. Rodríguez, 972-850-4709, rodriguez.juan@dol.gov
Release Number: 26-542-ATL (154)
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