Gering Ne. business fined for safety violations (1 death brings fine of $25,000 )

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1208&u_sid=10602910

Published Saturday April 4, 2009
Gering business fined for safety violations

A Gering business agreed to a plea agreement in federal charges stemming from a trench cave-in that killed an employee.

Midwest Farm Services pled guilty to a charge of willfully violating federal safety standards in the death of Travis Ballinger, 25, in March 2007. Ballinger had been trapped in a trench after it collapsed. He was buried under an estimated 2,200 pounds of dirt and suffocated.

According to information released from U.S. Attorney Joe Stecher, the trench was 3 feet wide by 8 feet deep and contained no protective support or shield system, nor was the trench sloped, violating safety standards

A complaint against the company was filed in U.S. District Court on Feb. 23.

According to the plea agreement, Midwest Farm waived indictment and pleaded guilty to the charge. Midwest Farm agreed to pay a criminal fine of $25,000 and to a two-year period of probation.

- World-Herald News Service