OSHA Fines Nebraska’s Prouty Construction in 4 Worker Deaths

March 12, 2009

Federal authorities have proposed more than $200,000 in fines against a Nebraska construction company for safety violations in the deaths of four workers.

The four died Sept. 12 after 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.

Company owner John Prouty referred inquiries to his attorney. His attorney did not immediately return a phone message left by The Associated Press.

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On the Net:

OSHA: http://www.osha.gov.