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Safety fines proposed for fatal trench cave-in in Alliance

OSHAALLIANCE, Neb. (AP) — Federal regulators have proposed penalties against two companies that officials say were involved in the fatal collapse of a sewer line trench in Alliance.

Authorities have said 61-year-old Jimmy Spencer, of Minatare, died March 21 after the 8-foot-deep trench collapsed during construction. Another worker was injured.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a news release Monday that neither Spencer’s employer, Clau-Chin Construction, or the housing project’s contractor, Larry Kessler Construction, of Scottsbluff, provided cave-in protection.

The agency is proposing $31,000 in fines for Clau-Chin and $21,000 in fines for Larry Kessler Construction.

President Shaun Houchin of Clau-Chin said Tuesday that he couldn’t immediately comment. A spokesman for Larry Kessler Construction didn’t immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

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