OSHA cites Illinois company over trench safety

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited an Oregon, Ill., excavating company for allegedly failing to protect workers from trench cave-ins.

The agency says a May inspection found one willful and three serious safety violations at a Forreston work site where Martin & Company Excavating was installing a water line in a trench.

OSHA has proposed a $69,300 fine.

The agency says the alleged willful violation occurred when a damaged water line flooded the trench, which didn't have cave-in protection even though workers were installing a water line about 8 feet below grade.

OSHA standards mandate that all excavations 5 feet or deeper be protected against collapse.

The company may contest the citations and proposed penalties.