OSHA Cites Breland Homes Inc. with 8 Serious Violations, $115,855 Penalties After Worker Fatality
Summary
OSHA has cited Breland Homes Inc., a Huntsville, Alabama home builder, 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. Investigators found the employer exposed workers to multiple trenching hazards, including failure to provide protective systems, inadequate hazard recognition training, and missing personal protective equipment. The company has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference, or contest the findings.
What changed
OSHA concluded its investigation into the December 2025 trench collapse at a Madison County subdivision, finding that Breland Homes Inc. allowed a laborer to work in an unprotected and unsupported trench section while installing a sewage drainpipe. The agency cited eight serious violations including failure to train workers on hazard recognition, lack of protective helmets, and use of damaged ladders.\n\nConstruction employers with trenching operations face heightened enforcement attention following this fatality. Companies must ensure trenches have proper protective systems, provide adequate PPE including hard hats, maintain equipment in safe condition, and conduct regular hazard recognition training. Failure to implement these controls can result in substantial penalties and, as demonstrated here, potential criminal liability when workers are killed.
What to do next
- Comply with OSHA citations and penalties within 15 business days
- Request an informal conference with OSHA's area director to discuss findings
- Contest findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission if desired
Penalties
$115,855
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.
News Release
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.
Agency Occupational Safety & Health Administration Date April 16, 2026 Release Number 26-542-ATL Media Contact: Erika Ruthman Phone Number 678-237-0630 Email ruthman.erika.b@dol.gov Media Contact: OPA East Media Email OPA-East-Media@dol.gov Share This
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