After a worker an an Illinois concrete manufacturing plant became engulfed in a sand bin and suffered serious crushing injuries, employees at the facility tried for more than an hour to rescue him themselves before finally summoning emergency assistance.

That accident resulted in OSHA issuing four safety violations to Dukane Precast, Inc. in Naperville, Ill, with proposed fines totaling $70,000.

The willful violation was for failing to immediately call rescue services when the worker became engulfed in sand after he had walked into the bin and onto the sand to level it.

Three serious safety violations were issued for failing to maintain a railing to protect workers from dangerous equipment, prevent unauthorized workers from entering a permit-required confined space and prepare entry permits prior to entering a confined space.

Dukane Precast Inc. is a concrete manufacturer that employs 90 workers. The company has been inspected by OSHA 14 times since 1981, and has been issued a total of 25 violations.