The U.S. Department of Labor has cited two companies following a fatal workplace incident that occurred in Georgia earlier this year.
According to the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the incident took place on April 7, 2025, when bridge painters employed by Seminole Equipment Inc. were removing scaffolding from the southbound I-95 bridge over the Ogeechee River near Savannah. During the process, one worker fell into the river and drowned.
An OSHA investigation determined that the Tarpon Springs, Florida-based company failed to ensure employees used required fall protection and life jackets while working on the bridge. The agency cited Seminole Equipment Inc. for five willful and three serious violations, proposing $877,220 in penalties.
“The Department of Labor is committed to protecting our nation’s workforce by holding bad actors accountable,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “We will continue addressing careless practices when we see them to achieve our shared goal of safe and productive workplaces for all Americans.”
Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer also underscored the agency’s focus on worker safety, stating, “No American should go into work fearing they might not make it home at the end of the day. OSHA is taking concrete enforcement action to stop preventable tragedies.”
The L.C. Whitford Co. Inc., identified as the controlling employer for the site, was also cited for two serious violations and faces a proposed penalty of $26,480.
Both companies have 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be modified during the case process.
Additional information on this inspection, including any updates to the penalty status, can be found on OSHA’s establishment search page. The agency also provides resources and assistance to employers seeking to improve workplace safety and comply with OSHA standards through its website.
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