The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has determined that a June 2024 explosion, which killed a 24-year-old maintenance worker in Port St. Lucie, Florida, was preventable. OSHA has cited Southeast Services of the Treasure Coast Inc. for failing to implement proper safety measures when using inflatable pipe plugs.
Austin Falcon-Rodriguez, a Port St. Lucie resident, was performing maintenance work inside an underground drainage pipe near Southwest Becker Road and Southwest Village Parkway when a pressurized pipe plug over-inflated and exploded. According to OSHA’s findings, the force of the blast ejected Falcon-Rodriguez from the storm drain and onto the roadway, causing fatal injuries.
OSHA cited the Vero Beach-based company for a serious safety violation and proposed a penalty of $16,131. The agency found that the company did not develop or implement procedures to ensure the safe installation and removal of pneumatic pipe plugs, nor did it properly train employees on the hazards of working with pressurized equipment.
“Pressurized equipment poses significant danger, and employers must put safeguards in place and take all necessary precautions to protect workers from these hazards,” said Condell Eastmond, OSHA Area Director, in a statement.
The accident was initially reported on June 8, 2024, when authorites arrived at the scene following reports of a serious workplace incident. According to an initial report from 12 News, Falcon-Rodriguez was suddenly pushed out of the pipe from below ground, through the opened roadway grate, and came to rest on the roadway.
Southeast Services of the Treasure Coast Inc. has 15 business days to comply with the citation or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
