By AP/KWMU
Toldeo, Ohio – Federal investigators announced $280,000 in fines Friday against the builder of a bridge where four workers were killed when a large crane collapsed.
Officials of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said St. Louis-based Fru-Con Construction failed to follow instructions for safely operating the crane.
OSHA also claims Fru-Con violated three other federal work-place safety standards.
Spokesman Jule Jones says the violations were willful, which means the company allegedly knew of the problem and did nothing to correct it.
The collapse happened February 16th.
OSHA found Fru-Con improperly anchored two cranes to concrete piers, and didn't use anchoring bars for the cranes' back legs.
One of the cranes fell, killing four workers and narrowly missing passing traffic.
The company has 15 days to pay the fine or appeal.