Construction Labor Services Inc. was cited by OSHA for 16 serious violations and fined $257,707 after two workers died from sewer gas exposure while installing sewer lines inside a manhole in Mobile, Alabama in August 2025; a third worker self-rescued.

Construction Labor Services Inc. — Sewage Gas Double Fatality (2025–2026)

Outcome: Two workers died and one was injured after sewer gas overcame a three-person crew installing sewer lines inside a Mobile, Alabama manhole; OSHA cited 16 serious confined-space violations and proposed $257,707 in penalties.

On August 11, 2025, three workers employed by Construction Labor Services Inc. were inside a manhole in Mobile, Alabama, performing sewer line installation and repair work. All three were overcome by sewer gas and became unresponsive. One worker managed to self-rescue and survive; emergency responders recovered the other two, who died from their injuries.

OSHA's investigation found that the company had essentially no confined space safety infrastructure in place. Investigators cited the employer for 16 serious violations, centered on the complete absence of a confined space entry program and written procedures, failure to train workers on the hazards of permit-required confined spaces, lack of an emergency response plan for confined space operations, and failure to establish procedures for determining acceptable atmospheric conditions before any worker entered the manhole.

The agency proposed a penalty of $257,707. The employer had 15 business days from receipt to comply, request an informal conference, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Primary Source: US Department of Labor cites Alabama contractor for exposing workers to sewage gas that resulted in 2 fatalities