The excavating company failed to properly train the crew on the project and did not effectively limit access to part of the worksite, the investigation found.
Indiana company fined $14K after 3 workers die in manhole Follow Us
Question of the Day By - Associated Press - Tuesday, February 9, 2021
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (AP) - State regulators have fined an excavating company $14,400 for workplace safety violations discovered after three workers, including a father and son, died in August while working on a northeastern Indiana sewer project.
The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration imposed the fine on Jan. 29 against Fort Wayne-based Crosby Excavating Inc. after an inspection found three “serious” safety violations and one “repeat” safety violation.
Jason R. Ball, 48, and his son, Bronson Ball, 21, both of Columbia City, died along with Douglas M. Kramer, 43, of Fort Wayne, on Aug. 25 after they became trapped about 20 feet (6.1 meters) below ground inside a manhole while working on a storm sewer project in Columbia City.