Five months after a construction worker died on the job in a Gwinnett County park, the company he worked for is disputing citations in connection with the incident, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Gainesville-based Simpson Trucking and Grading is facing approximately $49,000 in penalties from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration after the incident in E.E. Robinson Park in Sugar Hill, the station reported.
There also are accusations of improper site surveying and improper equipment and training against the company.
The company’s attorney denies the allegations.
“Simpson Grading is simply not a bad actor,” Philip Siegel said.
Jerry William Davis, 29, died after he and another man had to be pulled from a manhole at the park by emergency workers, officials said.
One man went into the manhole to try to rescue Davis after hearing his cries for help, Channel 2 reported at the time. It’s not clear how Davis got into the manhole, but the station reported that the men were overcome by a gas leak while in the manhole.
OSHA investigators concluded that Davis was not properly equipped or trained, Channel 2 reported.
However, Siegel said, “Just the day before the incident, the company did provide company-wide safety training.”
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