An excavating company in Wisconsin was recently cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to protect workers from trench cave-ins at a job site in Madison, Wisconsin. Proposed fines are expected to be $64,450.

OSHA became a federal law in 1970 to protect workers from work-place accidents. Gone unchecked, this could have resulted in a possible workers' compensation claim. According to OSHA's area director, "OSHA is committed to protecting workers, especially when employers fail to do so."

Now the question is how do workers protect themselves even with government oversight? In general, workers need to take an active role if they are injured on the job. If you are injured on the job and are going to be evaluated by an independent medical examiner, or if your injuries may prevent you from ever working again, it's important for you to seek an attorney that specializes in worker's compensation claims. An attorney can help you navigate the complicated claim process and can review medical evidence, build a strong case and help you get the benefits you need for your particular situation.

It's fortunate that in this recent Wisconsin case OSHA was able to step in before anyone got hurt. Their inspection found a violation in failing to provide cave-in protection to workers installing sewer lines in a trench approximately 6 feet deep, the second violation was for failing to provide a person to inspect the trench's protective system to prevent cave-in hazards. This particular company has been cited in the past for this same violation.

Source: Occupational Health & Safety, "OSHA unearths trenching hazards at Wisconsin worksite," Jan. 8, 2012