Islandia contractor fined for worker's fall into pit

An Islandia septic system contractor has been fined $11,700 for workplace violations at an East Hills home where one of its workers fell into a 16-foot pit in December, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Monday.

Antorino Sewer & Drain and owner Nicholas Motta were found to be in violation of seven safety and workplace regulations covering excavation standards, according to an investigation by the agency's Long Island area office. Motta was notified of the penalties on April 19, OSHA spokesman Ted Fitzgerald said, and has until May 10 to respond.

Calls to Motta, who also owns a Ronkonkoma company, Affordable Cesspool, Sewer & Drain, were not returned.

The accident occurred Dec. 8, when Mario Flores, 37, of Brentwood, fell into a pit being dug for a septic system leaching tank at 19 Peacock Dr. Rescue workers needed nearly five hours to pull out Flores, buried up to his chest in sandy soil. He was hospitalized for three days with minor injuries.

The OSHA investigation found the violations included the absence of a ladder or "another safe means of exit" from the pit; storing dirt removed from the pit too close to the edge of the opening; and not having a competent person on the site to identify such hazards, the agency said.

Fines for each of the seven violations ranged from $1,500 to $2,100.

Also, the report said, Flores violated safety regulations by entering the pit by riding in the bucket of a backhoe - which the manufacturer advises against. He was not wearing a safety helmet, a required piece of equipment, OSHA said.

East Hills Mayor Michael Koblenz said he was not aware of the report and noted that OSHA sets standards for the contractor, and the village is not responsible for enforcing the standards.

"It is assumed they follow all such standards. . . . It was fortunate no one was seriously hurt," Koblenz said.