OSHA Cites Florida Contractor $28,135 for Serious Violations After Fatality

OSHA News Releases

Filed March 4th, 2026

Detected March 13th, 2026

Summary

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Hyvac Inc., a Florida contractor, for two serious violations after a worker fatality. The agency proposed $28,135 in penalties for exposing workers to struck-by hazards.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations and proposed penalties of $28,135 to Hyvac Inc., a Florida-based plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contractor. The citations stem from a fatal incident on August 28, 2025, where an employee was killed by a pressurized HVAC piping system during a mall expansion project. OSHA found the employer violated standards by failing to verify piping was free from stored pressure and by not training workers on the hazards associated with removing end caps on pressurized systems, leading to two serious violations for struck-by hazards.

Hyvac Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Failure to comply with OSHA standards can result in further penalties. Employers are encouraged to contact OSHA for compliance assistance resources to prevent similar incidents.

What to do next

Review internal safety protocols for pressurized systems.
Ensure all employees are trained on recognizing and avoiding struck-by hazards.
Verify compliance with OSHA standards regarding pressure verification before work on piping systems.

Penalties

$28,135 in proposed penalties

Source document (simplified)

Notice: Information in some news releases may not reflect the current or final status of a case, including, but not limited to, the penalty amount(s) or classification(s).

OSHA News Release - Atlanta Region

U.S. Department of Labor
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Florida plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after an employee suffered a fatal injury at a Bal Harbor Shops worksite in August 2025.

US Department of Labor cites Florida air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after worker fatality

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Florida plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after an employee suffered a fatal injury at a Bal Harbor Shops worksite in August 2025.

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that on Aug. 28, 2025, an Hyvac Inc. pipefitter installing a new air-conditioning system for a mall expansion construction project was fatally injured from a pressurized HVAC piping system.

The employer was cited with two serious violations for exposing workers to struck-by hazards by not verifying piping was free from stored pressure before employees performed work on the system and did not train workers to recognize and avoid hazards associated with removing HVAC end caps on pressurized pipping systems. OSHA proposed $28,135 in penalties.

Hyvac Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of the 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.

Struck-by objects, part of OSHA’s construction “Focus Four,” are among the top four hazards causing many construction-related deaths. Employers may contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

Learn more about OSHA.

#

Media Contacts:

Erika B. Ruthman, 678-237-0631, 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.go

Release Number: 26-183-ATL (144)