An OSHA inspection of a water main installation project in Newport, RI, found an employee working in a straight-walled, six-foot-deep trench that lacked any cave-in protection. Excavations of five feet or deeper must be protected against collapse. OSHA says the company had been cited three times previously for the same offence. The company is facing the maximum proposed penalty of $70,000 for this sort of safety violation.

[East Coast Construction, Portsmouth, RI. Release Number 07-683-BOS/BOS 2007-126, May 10, 2007]