Dec. 09--A Schaumburg-based company could be fined up to $69,300 for failing to protect workers during trenching operations, according to the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
During a June investigation, two employees of A. Lamp Concrete Contractors who were installing a water main in Morton Grove were seen working in a trench more than 8 feet deep without protection.
OSHA called the violation "willful" because it was committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirement or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.
Scott Allen, a Department of Labor spokesman, said every willful violation can carry a fine of up to $70,000, depending on the company's size.
The company, cited multiple times since 2008 for similar violations, has already paid more than $170,000 in fines.
Allen said that despite the fines, some companies still do things wrong and don't follow proper procedures.
"It's absurd to think that a company would put a worker in harm's way to save time or money," Allen said.
A. Lamp Concrete has 15 business days from receipt of the citation to pay the fine, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the citation.
The company didn't have an immediate comment.
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