Wayne A. George pleaded guilty Nov. 28 in federal court to charges in connection with a trench collapse in 2015 that killed a 21-year-old employee.

George, owner A Rooter Man of Pittsburgh, based in Hookstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a charge of willful violation of an OSHA regulation that requires employers to take protective measures against cave-ins.

On Sept. 28, 2015, Jacob Casher died in a trench collapse at a work site. A four-man crew was relocating sewer lines for the personal care home. They were ready to leave for the day when Casher went back into the 11-foot deep trench to retrieve a shovel left behind.

Following an investigation, OSHA last year cited the company with two willful and seven serious violations. It was charged $174,000 in fines.

George faces sentencing in February. The law provides a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.