Workplace Hazards - Friday, October 10, 2008 8:25 - 0 Comments

OSHA sites contractors in deadly New York crane collapse

A federal agency levied fines totaling $313,500 against three construction firms last month for safety violations that led to a tower crane collapse that killed seven people in March. The citations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration named Reliance Contractors Group, the general contractor; Rapetti Rigging Services Inc., of Massapequa Park, New York, the crane erector; and Joy Contractors Inc., of Elizabeth, New Jersey, the concrete subcontractor on the project. The charges ranged from failure to properly train employees about job site hazards to allowing fire, falling and other hazards to exist. OSHA said Rapetti had failed to comply with the crane manufacturer’s specifications when erecting and raising the steel tower and to provide for protection against workers falling. One of its employees was killed.

Continue…