Federal officials recommended a nearly $50,000 fine for a construction contractor for Duke Energy after one employee was fatally electrocuted and two others were injured at a Pinellas County worksite.<\/p>\n
Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration<\/a> determined a work crew from Primoris Services Corp., operating as Primoris T&D Services LLC, was replacing a utility pole when the pole contacted an energized overhead transmission line, fatally electrocuting a lineman and sending two other workers to the hospital. The company was hired as a construction contractor for Duke Energy when the incident occurred in August 2025.<\/p>\n OSHA proposed $49,650 in penalties.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The employer also was cited with three serious violations:<\/p>\n Failing to ensure employees maintained the required minimum approach distance from exposed energized parts or have the transmission line deenergized<\/p>\n Assign a designated observer to monitor approach distances and provide warnings<\/p>\n Ensure the job briefing covered special precautions required when working under energized transmission lines.<\/p>\n The citations are being contested.<\/p>\n Michelle Spitzer<\/a> is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network\u2019s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida\u2019s breaking news. You can get all of Florida\u2019s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https:\/\/floridatoday.com\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n