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OSHA Fines Superior Concrete For Hazards

March 14, 2006

Federal officials have cleared a Sorrento concrete-block plant for the death of a Eustis electrician who fell last summer into a 35-foot-tall hopper.

But Superior Concrete Services Corporation has paid thousands of dollars in fines for exposing employees to hazards unrelated to the death of Larry Duane New.

New, 43, was a self-employed subcontractor working for Superior Concrete. The plant off County Road 46 makes concrete blocks used to build houses and other buildings.

On July 5, crews found New's body at the bottom of a hopper filled with materials used to make concrete.

According to Les Grove, area director for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration office in Tampa, since there were no witnesses, the agency conducted an investigation into the fatality.

The death investigation also prompted a look at Superior Concrete's practices. In January, OSHA fined the company $8,550 for violations.

Part of the plant where concrete is mixed is still operating because it has proper permits, Duncan and a county code-enforcement official said.

However, the concrete-block plant, which employs about 20 to 25 people, still needs permits to reopen.

Last week, county officials were reviewing plans necessary to approve the permits.