President Must Teach Safety Classes

A former company president convicted in connection with the deaths of two workers has been sentenced to seven years’ probation. Brent Weidman, who was convicted of charges of negligent homicide and reckless endangerment, must also perform 840 hours of community service.

An Arizona Superior Court judge directed Weidman, the former president of Far West Water And Sewer Company, to teach safety training classes in Yuma in connection with his community service order. He must also pay a $50,000 fine.

James Gamble, 26, and Gary Lanser, 62, died while working on an underground sewage tank at a golf course five years ago. Both were overcome by toxic gas.

Gamble collapsed after inhaling sewer gas. Three other workers attempted to rescue him. Lanser died and another worker suffered lung damage.

An investigation found that the company had failed to test the air in the tank on the day of the incident. Also, it found that workers lacked training on how to enter the tanks and perform rescues.