Crime & Safety

Private Business Also Cited in Death of Grosse Ile Employee

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited a business in Carlton with three violations that amount to $16,800 in the workplace death of James Farrell.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MiOSHA) cited Compeau Bros Inc. in Carlton with three violations in the death of a Grosse Ile Township Department of Public Services employee.

Compeau Bros Inc. was cited with a repeat serious violation and two serious violations after digging a trench that collapsed onto James Farrell.

Farrell was buried alive when attempting to fix a broken water main on Jan. 24. He died four days later at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

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The repeat citation was issued for not properly sloping or supporting the sides of the excavation. Compeau Bros Inc. was cited in December 2010 for the same violation.

The remaining violations were for not following an accident prevention program and for storing the spoils, material removed from the trench, more than two feet away from the excavation site.

Find out what's happening in Trenton Grosse Ilewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

All three citations amount to $16,800 in fines.

Patricia Meyer, director of the construction and safety health division at MiOSHA, said she had not received any communications from Compeau Bros Inc. Wednesday morning.

Compeau Bro Inc. have 15 working days to respond to MiOSHA's decision, according to Meyer.

*Look to Trenton-Grosse Ile Patch for updates on the investigation into James Farrell's death.

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