OSHA Cites Five Safety Violations in June Accident, Seeks $161,325 Penalty
A retaining wall collapse that killed 67-year-old Stephen Lane at a Brownville, Maine, construction site has pitted his brother’s company against federal safety regulators. Clifford Lane, owner of Patriot Paving Group LLC, met with OSHA officials on January 8, 2025, to contest findings that he knowingly endangered workers by excavating near an unstable wall. The fatal accident on Railroad Avenue has left Lane grieving his brother while fighting allegations that could cost his company $161,325 in penalties.
5 Key Points
- Stephen Lane, 67, died when a retaining wall collapsed during excavation work in June 2024.
- OSHA cited Patriot Paving Group for five workplace safety violations, including unstable wall conditions.
- Project engineers and the contractor dispute who held responsibility for workplace safety.
- Two workers were in the trench when the wall failed, with one surviving.
- Brownville had commissioned the project due to the wall’s visible deterioration.
Brothers’ Construction Project Ends in Tragedy
The June afternoon began as a routine job for the Lane brothers at their Brownville worksite. Clifford Lane’s company, Patriot Paving Group, was contracted to replace a cracking retaining wall on Railroad Avenue that town officials feared might collapse onto passing cars or pedestrians. Within hours, those fears materialized tragically when the wall gave way, killing Stephen Lane in the trench below while his brother watched helplessly.
OSHA Investigation Reveals Safety Disputes
Federal safety investigators found Lane’s use of an excavator near the wall’s base directly contributed to its collapse. “The warnings were clear, yet Clifford Lane chose to ignore them, putting progress before safety and putting employees directly in harm’s way,” OSHA Area Director Samuel Kondrup stated. The agency’s investigation resulted in five specific safety violations, though Lane maintains he received no explicit warnings about imminent danger.
Engineering Firms Clash Over Safety Responsibilities
Dirigo Engineering, the project’s lead firm, insists safety protocols fell squarely under Lane’s authority. “Means and methods are not dictated by the engineer, nor safety,” emphasized Jim Lord, Dirigo’s project overseer. However, Lane claims two independent engineering firms hired by his insurer, Liberty Mutual, cleared him of wrongdoing. A Dirigo field representative was on site the day of the collapse but, according to Lord, could only hint at safety concerns within their limited scope of authority.
Survivor Recounts Desperate Escape
Chris Page, a longtime employee of Patriot Paving Group, worked alongside Stephen Lane in the trench moments before the collapse. Lane recalls shouting a warning when he heard the first sounds of failure: “I hauled into the guys to get out of the trench.” Page managed to roll onto the road, but when he looked back, his colleague was already buried. “When I looked over, the wall was already done,” Page recounted. “I looked back, and Steve was gone.”
Personal Toll Weighs Heavy Six Months Later
Six months after losing his brother, Clifford Lane struggles with both emotional and professional aftermath. While acknowledging some safety oversights, such as workers not wearing hard hats, Lane maintains he never knowingly endangered his crew. “I’d never would have sawed in front of that wall; I wouldn’t have gone within 10 feet of that wall,” Lane insisted. When asked about coping with the loss, tears welled in his eyes as he responded, “Gosh, it’s, it’s awful.”
FAQ
Q: What specific safety violations did OSHA cite in this incident?
A: OSHA cited five workplace safety violations, including excavating near an unstable wall and workers not wearing proper safety equipment, such as hard hats.
Q: Who was responsible for workplace safety at the construction site?
A: According to Dirigo Engineering, Clifford Lane and Patriot Paving Group were responsible for workplace safety measures, while engineers were only responsible for building plans.
Q: Why was the retaining wall being replaced?
A: The wall was already cracked and leaning into Railroad Avenue, prompting Brownville officials to order its replacement before it could fall onto vehicles or pedestrians.
Q: What evidence supports Clifford Lane’s defense?
A: Lane claims two engineering firms hired by Liberty Mutual Insurance conducted investigations that found him “100 percent not at fault,” though the insurance company declined to confirm these findings publicly.
Q: What penalties does Patriot Paving Group face?
A: OSHA has proposed penalties totaling $161,325 for the five workplace safety violations.
Q: Were there warning signs before the wall collapsed?
A: Dirigo Engineering says their field representative hinted at safety concerns, while Lane maintains there were no apparent signs of imminent collapse.
Citations
Harsa, Christian (January 8, 2025). Contractor denies OSHA allegations claiming he’s at fault for fatal construction accident. News Center Maine. https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/contractor-denies-osha-allegations-claiming-hes-at-fault-fatal-construction-accident-brownville/97-49d4170a-3829-40c1-9210-a61e1b7fd974
