After a months-long investigation into the incident, OSHA said it was issuing seven cita-tions for alleged "willful violations" for failing to provide cave-in protections on seven separate days. The agency also identified five alleged "serious violations" involving trench safety, personal protective equipment and overhead power lines. OSHA inspectors found that unprotected employees were allowed to work in unshored, unsloped trenches in unstable soil. Trenching safety requirements had previously been discussed with company officials, including the project foreman, during a February 2004 inspection, according to OSHA.
"Strong enforcement is a key part of this administrations efforts to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths," Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in a statement. "This tragic death could have been avoided."