Alleged Trench Hazards Lead to $189K Fine for Excavating Company

An excavating company in Wentzville, Missouri, is facing proposed federal penalties of $189,221 after allegedly allowing two employees to work in an unprotected trench while installing sewers. Karrenbrock Excavating LLC was cited July 16 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, following an inspection in January of a Lake Saint Louis job site. OSHA said its inspectors found that the company failed to use benching, sloping, shoring or other protective systems to prevent a trench collapse. In addition, the company allegedly didn’t conduct regular job site inspectio...