Iowa Company to Contest Citations in Worker’s Death

A company says it will contest citations issued by state safety regulators in a worker’s death at an ethanol plant under construction in northern Iowa.

Kenneth Sterling, of Austin, Minn., died in February after being caught between a manlift and ceiling beam at the plant near Mona. He worked for Fagen Engineering in Granite Falls, Minn., the general contractor on the job.

The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued three “serious violations” against Fagen: failed to properly train its lift operators; neglected to test lift controls the day prior to use; and, did not ensure that upper and lower controls of the boom platforms were functional and available.

Company owner Diane Fagen says the company will challenge the citations before a May 19th deadline.

Information from: Austin Daily Herald, www.austindailyherald.com