Ohio excavators cited after fatal trench collapse

UNIONTOWN, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio company has been cited for alleged safety violations after a trench collapse last year in northeast Ohio killed one worker and injured another.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration today said Bontrager Excavating Ltd. in Uniontown could face penalties of nearly $158,000 for alleged violations involving various hazards in trenches used in the company’s excavations. The citations allege the company failed to protect workers from cave-ins.

One worker was killed and another was hurt when a trench collapsed Dec. 28 while they were installing sewer lines in a Stark County neighborhood.

The company said in a statement that it will fight the allegations.

The OSHA says the company has 15 days to contest the citations and penalties.