The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed a fine and changes in working conditions for a Williston company after the January death of an oil rig worker.

Zachary Anderson, 20, of Williston, was killed on Jan. 29 while working on an oil rig southeast of Flaxton. The OSHA citation says Anderson was hit in the head by an elevator clamp, a piece of equipment weighing hundreds of pounds.

Anderson was trying to position a clamp on a spinning pipe from an elevator above the oil rig floor, when the clamp spun off and struck him in the head, said Bruce Beelman, the area OSHA director in Bismarck.

OSHA has proposed a $1,500 fine against American Casing & Equipment of Williston for failing to provide a safe workplace.

Steve Lardick, American Casing & Equipment owner, said he plans to contest the fine. He said his lawyer is looking into the matter.

"If I just paid it, it looks like I'm guilty of something," Lardick said Tuesday.

Beelman said American Casing & Equipment has 15 working days to request an informal conference with him or contest the OSHA fine. He said the company's lawyer has contacted him about the citation.