Irrigation District Faces Fines for Allegedly Exposing Workers to Dangerous Trench

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries fined an irrigation district $168,000 for allegedly failing to protect workers from the dangers of trenching. L&I said inspectors visiting a Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District job site found and photographed workers inside a trench deeper than 4 feet, with no safe way to get out and no protective box or shield to prevent a cave-in. There was also an excavated soil pile near the edge of the trench, adding weight and increasing the danger of collapse. The Irrigation District removed the workers from the trench but refused to give in...