Conn. Contractor Fined Over Fatal Blast

Federal safety regulators have fined an electrical subcontractor $4,900 for an underground explosion that killed a worker in downtown Waterbury,Conn. earlier this year.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited American Electrical Testing Co. of Canton, Mass., for “serious” safety violations that caused an underground explosion and killed one of its electricians.

The fine was for the Feb. 21 underground explosion that killed Elias Anchundia of Lake Grove, N.Y. The fine came at the conclusion of a six-month OSHA investigation into the explosion.

American Electrical was hired by Connecticut Light & Power for maintenance work on its underground system downtown.

OSHA’s investigation involved both companies, but only American Electrical was issued a citation.

The citation, made public through a Freedom of Information request from the Republican-American, includes very few details of the investigation.

David Squires, assistant area director for OSHA, said Monday that American Electrical, has until about Sept. 10 to contest the decision.