Companies Cited After Toxic Gases Kill 3 Workers in Manhole

A South Florida utility company and a related contracting company are facing $119,507 in proposed federal fines after three workers were killed by toxic gases in a manhole. Douglas N. Higgins Inc. and McKenna Contracting LLC were issued citations for 10 serious safety violations by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Friday. The citations arise from the deaths of three employees working on Key Largo on Jan. 16. A 34-year-old pipe layer who entered the manhole quickly became unresponsive. A 49-year-old laborer who entered the confined space to try to rescue the ...