rticles in this series examine how the government deals with the most serious cases of death on the job.

PART ONE: THE PLUMBER'S APPRENTICE
A Trench Caves In; a Young Worker Is Dead. Is It a Crime?
By DAVID BARSTOW
The death of an untrained, unskilled apprentice in an unprotected, unstable, rain-saturated trench was tragic, but was it criminal?

PART TWO: A CULTURE OF RELUCTANCE
U.S. Rarely Seeks Charges for Deaths in Workplace
By DAVID BARSTOW
In the vast majority of workplace deaths caused by willful violation of safety laws, OSHA has declined to pursue prosecution.

PART ONE: A WORKPLACE IN TURMOIL
At a Texas Foundry, an Indifference to Life
By DAVID BARSTOW and LOWELL BERGMAN
One of the world's largest manufacturers of cast-iron sewer and water pipe is also one of the most dangerous employers in America.

PART TWO: A SECRETIVE DYNASTY
Family's Profits, Wrung From Blood and Sweat
By DAVID BARSTOW and LOWELL BERGMAN
The story of how a reclusive family ascended into the ranks of the nation's wealthiest dynasties is an often-painful one, written in the blood and tears of its workers.

PART THREE: FAILURES OF REGULATION
Deaths on the Job, Slaps on the Wrist
By DAVID BARSTOW and LOWELL BERGMAN
McWane Inc. workers have been maimed and killed by safety failures. Yet regulators and police have never taken a coordinated approach to end patterns of transgression.

RELATED COVERAGE

Two at Hazardous Foundry Tell of Events Costing One His Legs (Jan. 16, 2003)

Pipe Maker Is Fined Over Safety Violations (April 15, 2003)

Criminal Inquiry Under Way at Large Pipe Manufacturer (May 15, 2003)

Pipe Maker Is Fined Over Safety Violations (Dec. 16, 2003)

Edwards Sets Work Safety Plan (Dec. 31, 2003)

U.S. Brings New Set of Charges Against Pipe Manufacturer (May 27, 2004)

Foundry Pleads Guilty to Environmental Crimes (March 23, 2005)