OSHA Cites Contractor for Serious Violations After Fatal Electrocution

OSHA News Releases

Filed March 13th, 2026

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA has cited a Florida utility construction contractor for three serious violations following a fatal electrocution and two injuries. The agency proposed $49,650 in penalties.

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What changed

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Primoris Services Corp. for three serious violations after a fatal electrocution and two severe injuries occurred when a work crew replacing a utility pole contacted an energized overhead transmission line. OSHA has proposed $49,650 in penalties for failing to maintain minimum approach distances, de-energize lines, assign an observer, and conduct adequate job briefings.

While the citations and penalties are contested before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, this enforcement action highlights critical safety lapses in utility pole replacement work near energized lines. Employers in this sector should review their safety protocols, particularly concerning approach distances, de-energization procedures, and job briefing requirements, to prevent similar incidents and potential future penalties.

What to do next

Review safety protocols for working near energized overhead transmission lines.
Ensure job briefings adequately cover special precautions for energized lines.
Verify procedures for maintaining minimum approach distances and de-energizing lines are strictly followed.

Penalties

$49,650 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
PINELLAS, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor cited a Florida utility construction contractor for Duke Energy after one worker was electrocuted and two others injured at a Seminole site in August 2025.

March 13, 2026

US Department of Labor cites Florida construction contractor after 2 workers severely injured, 1 fatally electrocuted

PINELLAS, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor cited a Florida utility construction contractor for Duke Energy after one worker was electrocuted and two others injured at a Seminole site in August 2025.

Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined a work crew from Primoris Services Corp. – operating as Primoris T&D Services LLC – was replacing a utility pole when the pole contacted an energized overhead transmission line, fatally electrocuting a lineman and sending two other workers to the hospital.

OSHA cited the employer with three serious violations for failing to ensure employees maintained the required minimum approach distance from exposed energized parts or have the transmission line deenergized, assign a designated observer to monitor approach distances and provide warnings, and ensure the job briefing covered special precautions required when working under energized transmission lines.

OSHA proposed $49,650 in penalties.

The employer has contested the citations 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.

Learn more about OSHA, including tips to protect employees when working near overhead power lines. Employers may contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.