SEATTLE — An Everett company fined $199,000 for safety violations related to a worker’s death in 2014 is now facing a criminal charge.
KOMO-TV reported that King County prosecutors charged Pacific Topsoils with violation of labor safety regulation with death resulting. They could face a fine of up to $100,000 if found guilty.
Bradley Hogue, 19, of Lake Stevens, was killed by a rotating auger while working inside the hopper of a bark-blower truck at a Duvall home. Afterward the state sent out an alert to warn of the danger of working in hoppers while the equipment is running.
The state Department of Labor and Industries earlier fined the company $199,000 for numerous safety violations related to the death.
Pacific Topsoils says it was “disappointed” that charges were filed and say they’ve worked to ensure something like it never happens again.
A company representative will be required to appear in court for arraignment on June 27.
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