AUGUSTA — A federal workplace safety agency is proposing that a Maine pipeline company be fined $76,000 for alleged safety violations at one of its work sites.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the proposed fines Monday against Gardiner-based Everett J. Prescott Inc.

OSHA says Prescott failed to protect workers from cave-ins with an adequate protection system at an excavation site in Scarborough where workers were installing a large valve in a pipe. Officials say the company was cited for similar violations in 2009.

Prescott has 15 days to comply, meet with OSHA or contest the findings.

The company declined comment.