Calif. Pulls Builder's License After Worker Killed

Published February 4, 2012 2:45AM (EST)

MILPITAS, Calif. (AP) — State officials have suspended the license of the builder of a Milpitas, Calif., home where a carpenter was buried alive last weekend.

The Contractors State License Board said Friday that it suspended the general building contractor license of US-Sino Investment Inc. because the company had failed to comply with state workers' compensation insurance laws.

The board says though licensed contractors are required to carry workers' compensation insurance for all employees, US-Sino Investment had an exemption claiming it had no employees.

Carpenter Raul Zapata died Saturday when he was buried in a 12-foot trench at the worksite.

Earlier this week, officials with the California Occupation Health and Safety Administration said the company lacked a proper permit for its work on the 5,800-square-foot home.

Milpitas officials issued a stop-work order three days before the accident because of concerns over a rain-soaked hillside.


By Salon Staff

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