Federal authorities have cited a Casa Grande contracting company for safety violations that allegedly led to the death of a trench worker last year, AP reports
They say an Ellison-Mills Contracting employee was killed in August while an 8-inch waterline was being installed at the Gila River Indian Community in Chandler.
U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators say the worker was struck by a bucket shovel that wasn’t properly secured by a quick coupler to excavating equipment.
OSHA has cited the contractor for three violations over the incident and proposed an $8,400 fine.
Ellison-Mills Contracting has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the findings before the independent commission.
The company didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment Friday.
