Sep 3, 2025 By Paul Paterra 2 min read

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finished its investigation into last week’s trench collapse in the 800 block of McKean Avenue in Charleroi that trapped a man for about five hours.

Borough Manager Joe Manning said he spoke with an OSHA representative Tuesday morning.

“They said they have concluded their investigation and told PennDOT they were done, so PennDOT can do whatever it needs to do to repair the road,” Manning said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Labor would only confirm that OSHA is investigating the matter and has up to six months to complete the process.

Manning said the state Department of Transportation owns the six-inch surface of the road, also known as Route 88.

“Anything below six inches is on (the borough),” Manning said. “Any repairs that are going to be made will have to be coordinated between the borough and PennDOT.”

Melissa Maczko, PennDOT District 12 spokeswoman, said the agency would be contacting officials from the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi to determine how the repairs will be completed.

A man working for an independent contractor was working in the trench in the 800 block of McKean Avenue, in front of Davies Ford in the Charleroi business district, when the collapse occurred Thursday evening.

Emergency personnel from five counties worked to rescue the man, who suffered only minor injuries. The victim, whose name was not released, was taken to Allegheny General Hospital for treatment.

While the cause of the collapse has not been released, Manning said the day after the collapse that there appeared to be a break in a sewer line.

According to a statement issued Friday by PennDOT, the work was being done without a highway occupancy permit.

Until repairs are made, Route 88 will remain closed between Eighth and Ninth streets. Traffic is being detoured to east Interstate 70, north Route 906 and across the Charleroi-Monessen Bridge before reentering Route 88.