A-1 Excavating of Bloomer agrees to pay $474,000 for violating federal safety standards

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An excavation firm in northwest Wisconsin has agreed to pay $474,000 for violating federal safety standards.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration originally proposed $861,000 in fines for A-1 Excavating in Bloomer.

The firm was cited in February for 11 safety violations which involved trenches. Two months later, employee Eugene Hakes of Cadott was while working in a trench in New Richmond, and OSHA did another investigation.

The agency said it found hazards that included using equipment too close to overhead power lines, and not maintaining equipment in a safe manner.

OSHA said A-1 agreed to hire a full-time safety director, and improve the way it trains employees.

Tags: new richmond, a1 excavating, wisconsin, osha