03/10/10

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) _ A Mountain Home contracting business has
been fined $44,500 following the death of a worker when a trench
collapsed last year.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined
Bowman's Inc. and says the company violated federal work safety
rules.

OSHA Regional Administrator Richard Terrill says the company
didn't take the necessary steps to address hazards in the trench
and didn't educate employees about safe trench operations.

Thirty-two-year-old pipe layer Kelly Smith of Mountain Home died
in Pocatello last September when the 10-foot deep trench he was
working in collapsed on him. Other workers spent more than two
hours digging Smith out.

The Idaho State Journal reports Bowman's Inc. has 15 days to pay
the fine, request an informal conference with OSHA officials or
contest the findings.
___

Information from: Idaho State Journal, http://www.journalnet.com


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