Comcast Cable Communications, LLC: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Dec 24, 2021 (fatal): Employee with covid-19 infection dies

At 9:21 p.m. on December 24, 2021, an employee who had worked as a field supervisor for field technicians that install internet and cable in personal residences and businesses died from respiratory failure due to COVID-19. The employee's job duties included computer and paperwork in the office and assisting and supervising technicians in the field. On November 24, 2021, the employee had returned to work but did not pass screening protocols to go into the office. The employee last worked on a normal four day shift from November 17, 2021 to November 20, 2021, and was off from November 21, 2021 to November 23, 2021. The employee developed a cough, muscle aches, headache and congestion on November 24, 2021, before failing the screening when attempting return to the office. On November 25, 2021 the employee tested positive for COVID-19. On December 4, 2021, the employee was admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19 related symptoms.

Incident on Aug 31, 2020: Employee installing coaxial cable falls from ladder and frac

At about 8:40 a.m. on August 31, 2020, an employee was working for a cable television, internet, telephone, and wireless services provider. He was helping a coworker replace a coaxial cable between a private residence and a utility pole. The cable had been broken by a fallen tree branch, and the coworker requested the assistance of the employee due to the technical challenges posed by running the cable some 75 feet (22.9 meters) through three or four trees between the residence and the utility pole. The employee had hands-on training on connecting cable drops, yearly ladder training, and 13 years of experience performing this sort of work. He said that though he had not received training specific to running line through trees, every jobsite was different, and each job had to be handled on a case-by-case basis. The employee set up a 16-foot (4.9-meter) extension ladder against a column on the exterior deck of the residence. He climbed about 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3.0 meters) up the ladder. He stood on the extension ladder to connect the coaxial cable to the residence, while his coworker connected the cable to the utility pole. The employee was standing in the middle of the ladder and had slack in the line between himself and his coworker. He was connecting the cable drop to the house when he felt a pull on the cable. The employee believed that the wind may have blown a tree branch into the cable, applying additional tension. The employee lost his balance and fell off the ladder. He fell approximately 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3.0 meters). His left ankle was fractured. He was first taken to one medical center, where he was diagnosed, and then sent to another medical center, where he received treatment. He was hospitalized. He underwent two separate surgeries, first on that day and then a month later. The employer notified the Division that same day. Two days later, the Division held a conference with the firm's local safety manager and two technical operations supervisors.

Incident on Mar 22, 2019: Employee falls from ladder and fractures arm and ribs

At 8:15 a.m. on March 22, 2019, an employee was standing on a ladder disconnecting cable when he turned around and lost his balance. He fell to the ground and fractured his right arm and ribs, requiring hospitalization.

Incident on May 22, 2017: Employee falls from ladder while working on an aerial cable

At 12:30 p.m. on May 22, 2017, an employee, working as a communication technician, was replacing a mid-span drop-line about 20 ft above the ground while standing on a 28 ft extension ladder. The employee was not using his body/climbing belt and safety strap while disconnecting the aerial cable strand. The employee became unbalanced and fell off the extension ladder. The employee sustained a deformed left arm, a fractured forearm, a fractured left wrist, a spine compression fracture, and a fracture to the left femur and a knee ligament injury.

Incident on Jan 27, 2010: Employee fractures leg in fall from fence

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on January 27, 2010, Employee #1 was installing a cab le to the face of a private residence in Benicia, California. Employee #1 leaned on a decorative fence that gave way and he subsequently fell 5 ft. He fractured his left leg and was taken to Sutter Medical in Vallejo, California, where he u nderwent surgery. He was hospitalized for more than 24 hours.

Incident on Apr 1, 2009: Employee fractures ankles in fall from roof

At approximately 4:20 p.m. on April 1, 2009, Employee #1 was changing a cable dr op at a residential home. Employee #1 was descending the roof, when he lost his balance and fell approximately 10 ft to the ground. Employee #1 was not wearing fall protection. Employee #1 fractured his ankles, and was treated for his injur ies but was not hospitalized.

Incident on Aug 3, 2006: Employee fractures leg in fall from utility pole

On August 3, 2006, Employee #1's foot slipped off the detachable step cable, whi ch installers used to facilitate the ascent and descent of utility poles. Employ ee #1 fell 31 inches from a wooden utility pole and fractured his left leg. He w as hospitalized.