$200,000 fine proposed in deadly trench cave-in

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1208&u_sid=10583233

Published Tuesday March 10, 2009
$200,000 fine proposed in deadly trench cave-in

VERDEL, Neb. (AP) — Federal authorities have proposed more than $200,000 in fines against an O’Neill construction company for safety violations in the deaths of four workers.

The four died Sept. 12 when a trench collapsed at a road construction site near the Knox County town of Verdel in northeast Nebraska.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labors says John Prouty Construction failed to instruct its workers in recognizing and avoiding unsafe trench conditions. And OSHA says the company didn’t have a proper cave-in protection system.

A woman who answered the phone at Prouty Construction on Tuesday said the owner, John Prouty, was out of the office. He did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press.

[hedgehog]

1. It's disgusting that htis happened. Trenching boxes aren't that

expensive or difficult to use!