Region 9 News Release:   USDL-109
August 13, 1999
Contact: Deanne Amaden at 415-975-4741 or Tino Serrano at 415-975-4742

SAN FRANCISCO - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a citation for a serious violation against a contractor at Andersen Air Force Base in Yigo, Guam, following an investigation into a fatal workplace accident in April at the base's replacement fuel line project.

OSHA issued a serious citation and an other-than-serious citation with a penalty of $2,800, to Nova/Fedrick AJV of Barrigada, Guam. The violations include failure to train employees in recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions while working next to a chain-type trenching machine, and failure to replace cracked and broken windshield glass on the machine.

Nova/Fedrick AJV employee Candido Edelo Edu, age 22, died on April 23 when he was beginning a 90 foot long trenching operation. Edu was working on the 'blind' side of the trenching machine within one to two feet in front of the unit when the accident occurred. As Edu shoveled material back into the trench, the dirt bank where he stood caved in, and he fell into the trench and was fatally injured by the trenching machine.

"Training this employee by ensuring he understood how to safely work near this trenching machine might have prevented this tragedy," said Leonard Limtiaco, OSHA enforcement director supervising the investigation. Limtiaco said Edu was working too close to the equipment. OSHA regulations require that employees be trained in safe operation of equipment. Limtiaco said a sign was posted on the trenching machine warning workers to not work too closely when it was operation.

OSHA is also investigating a second accident which occurred August 11 involving Nova/Fedrick at the same construction site. Limtiaco said the victim of the second accident appears to be related to the worker killed in April.

OSHA issues a serious citation only when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer either knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

The company has 15 working days from the date of the notice to contest the citations.