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(AP) - A federal agency has cited Lakehead
Blacktop & Materials for safety violations in the deaths last fall
of four men who were overcome by toxic fumes after going in a
manhole at the company's landfill.

      The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the
Superior company $4,200 and imposed a March 19 deadline for
Lakehead to comply with a series of safety corrections.

      The OSHA citation, issued Jan. 31, was obtained by the Duluth
News Tribune through a Freedom of Information Act request. Because
Lakehead didn't contest OSHA's findings within 15 business days,
the company must accept the results and make the corrections by the
deadline.

      The accident Nov. 1 developed after 44-year-old Joe Kimmes III
descended through a landfill manhole to perform repairs. He was
quickly overcome by hydrogen sulfide fumes, Douglas County Medical
Examiner Darrell Witt said at the time.

      Scott Kimmes, 40, noticed his brother gasping for air and went
down to help but was overcome, Witt said. Also overcome trying to
help were Harold Tim Olson, 47, an employee at the landfill, and
Paul Cossalter, a 41-year-old contractor who urged someone to call
911 before going into the manhole, Witt said.

      Lakehead was faulted by OSHA for failing to identify work areas
that should have been labeled with warnings, and also for failing
to provide training and air-monitoring equipment to help identify
potentially dangerous conditions.

      OSHA also cited the company for failing to have a system in
place to ensure that equipment being serviced couldn't be powered
up accidentally.

      Mark Hysell, an OSHA area director based in Eau Claire, said his
agency considered a number of factors in deciding to impose a fine.

He noted that Lakehead had no history of prior violations, but said
there was evidence that the company should have known of federal
requirements pertaining to work in and around enclosed spaces.

      A call by The Associated Press to a number listed for the
company rang unanswered and did not go to voicemail.
     

Gallery

Toxic gas kills landfill workers

Disasters

A federal agency has cited Lakehead
Blacktop & Materials for safety violations in the deaths last fall
of four men who were overcome by toxic fumes after going in a
manhole at the company's landfill.

OSHA fines Lakehead for safety violations after 4 workers die

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