A December 2008 OSHA inspection found employees exposed to falls of up to 43 feet into the river while working without fall protection on unprotected or inadequately guarded sections of the bridge and using an access ladder of inadequate height. They also were exposed to drowning hazards due to the lack of life jackets, ring buoys and a lifesaving skiff that are required to be used and readily available on site when employees work over water.
"The significant hazard of a four-story plunge was exacerbated by the lack of required lifesaving rescue equipment," said C. William Freeman III, OSHA's area director in Hartford. "While it's fortunate no fall or drowning occurred, the potential for a fatal or serious accident was real and present at this jobsite."
As a result, OSHA issued Brunalli Construction three willful citations, with $147,000 in proposed fines, for the fall, drowning and ladder hazards and 10 serious citations, with $33,950 in proposed fines, for additional fall-related hazards, puncture and laceration hazards from a damaged cable guardrail system, no hardhats for employees exposed to overhead hazards, amputation and laceration hazards from unguarded grinders, and no trained emergency responders on site.
When EHS Today contacted Brunalli Construction, the employee who answered the phone said the company declined to comment on OSHA’s findings and citations.
Brunalli Construction has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
More information from OSHA about fall hazards and safeguards.