OSHA fines local firm for fatal trench collapse

A Mountain Home contracting business faces a $44,500 fine following the death of a worker last September.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Bowman's Inc., saying the company violated federal work safety rules that led to death of Kelly Smith when a trench collapsed on him.

Smith, 32, worked for Bowman's for several years and served as a pipe layer on a sewer line installation project in Pocatello. He was working outside of a 10-foot-deep trench box, which provides protection in an emergency, when a section collapsed on him around 10:30 a.m. Sept. 16. The area where the collapse occurred did not have any safety devices employed.

Other workers spent more than two hours trying to dig Smith out.

OSHA Regional Administrator Richard Terrill said the company didn't take necessary steps to address hazards in the trench and didn't educate employees about safe trench operations. Violations specifically identified a foreman who was aware of the hazardous conditions and failed to act and the company's failure to provide cave-in protection for employees working outside the trench shield, according to Terrill.

In a press release from OSHA's regional office in Seattle, the alleged violations "are for failing to protect workers exposed to an unsupported, exposed active gas line, failing to provide a ladder for access and exit of employees working outside the trench shield and improper use of the trench shield."

"Unprotected trenches can become deathtraps in an instant when cave-ins occur," Terrill said.

Bowman's Inc. has 15 days from the day it received to citations to either pay the fine, request an informal conference with OSHA's area office in Boise or contest the findings before an independent health and safety administration commission.

Bowman's representatives plan to meet with OSHA's area director during an informal meeting on Friday.