Earlier this year OSHA fined two construction companies over $115,000 following a crane accident that killed one worker and seriously injured another. The construction companies were working on a bridge when the decedent was struck by the boom of a crane that overturned. Another worker was seriously injured when he was ejected from the crane cab.
OSHA fined the construction company in charge of operating the crane $105,000 for one willful violation and five serious violations for allegedly failing to train workers regarding their roles and on ways to use signaling methods. The company also allegedly failed to attach the crane to the proper barge and failed to implement or meet minimum requirements of a critical lift plan, including designating a lift conductor and organizing lift preparation meetings.
OSHA had inspected the company five times since 2009 and following the latest incident OSHA was placing the company on the Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which focuses on employers with willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate violations.
The other company provided manpower for erecting girders on the project. It was fined $13,200 for four serious violations including: failing to develop an effective safety program, faling to conduct competent and qualified trainand failing to comply with crane operating standards.
The construction law attorneys at Harmon & Davies are here to assist contractors with developing effective safety programs and with contesting OSHA citations. Above all, we care about our construction clients and we can’t emphasize enough how important it is for them to have the proper safety procedures in place to protect their workforce.
This article is authored by attorney Shannon O. Young and is intended for educational purposes and to give you general information and a general understanding of the law only, not to provide specific legal advice. Any particular questions should be directed to your legal counsel or, if you do not have one, please feel free to contact us.
