TUMWATER, Wash. (AP) - Avista Utilities will pay $17,600 in fines for safety violations in the fatal fall of a line worker who was helping a teacher conduct a grade school science experiment in Othello, a company spokeswoman said Friday.

The biggest fine imposed by the state Department of Labor and Industries was $8,800 for failing to ensure that employees working on a boom lift wear the required full body harness and safety line.

The Spokane-based utility also was penalized $4,400 for inadequate training to operate the boom lift truck, and the same amount for failing to ensure the gear was thoroughly inspected before it was used.

The fines will not be appealed, Avista spokeswoman Debbie Simock said Friday.

"Now that the state has completed its investigation, Avista will oversee further investigations as to the cause of the incident," the company said in a written statement.

Two fines totaling $6,300 also were levied against the Othello School District for lack of adequate hazard and safety training with the equipment.

Othello Superintendent George Juarez was out of the office Friday afternoon and unavailable for comment, a secretary said.

Robert D. Smith, 50, of Othello, died and a teacher, Melissa Martinez, was treated for broken vertebrae after a bucket connected to the boom arm fell 20 to 30 feet on May 31 in front of about 600 students, teachers and parents outside Hiawatha Elementary School in Othello.

Smith and Martinez were in the bucket for an annual science experiment in which students make protective egg cases that are tested by being dropped from various heights.