Maine, N.H., contractors cited in jobsite (crane) electrocution (1 dead = $121,500)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080325/NEWS/80325014/-1/NEWS19&sfad=1


By Associated Press
March 25, 2008 12:42 PM

BANGOR, Maine - Federal regulators have cited contractors in Maine and New Hampshire for safety violations at a residential construction site in Hermon (Maine) in which one employee was electrocuted and another was injured.

Twenty-four-year-old Angel Valespi of Portland was killed and Robert McLeod of Harrington was seriously injured on Sept. 12, 2007, while working on a modular home that was in contact with a crane that bumped into overhead power lines.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited J&S Carpentry of Columbia and Irving Equipment Inc. of Hampton, N.H., for 15 alleged violations of safety standards.

OSHA found that the crane was being operated within 10 feet of the power line, which had not been de-energized beforehand, as required. The two contractors face proposed fines totaling $121,500.