Construction Accident
Boston Crane Firms Cited in Past Violations
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April 3rd, 2006
"Construction Firms in Boston Crane Accident Cited in Past Violations"
New details from Monday’s fatal crane accident in Boston have surfaced involving the construction firms that were working on the 14-story Emerson University dormitory downtown.
Witnesses watched on Monday morning as a construction crane and scaffolding tumbled and crashed on Boylston Street near the university killing three people.
While officials have still not determined what exactly caused the collapse, new findings regarding the tainted safety records for the general contractor and masonry company that worked at the crash site have emerged.
According to records, in 2004, Macomber Builders, the general contractor, was fined by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to check the scaffolding prior to each work shift during construction at the Children’s Hospital in Boston.
In addition, the company had violated more OSHA safety regulations for insufficient guardrails and dangerous scaffolding at the Children’s construction site as well as further violations for failing to provide workers with safety net systems or guardrails during work on rooftops.
Macomber also faces two lawsuits brought by former employees who claim they were injured on the job as a result of the company’s negligence to provide a safe work environment, according to court records.
In the last five years, the subcontractor on the Emerson dorm, Bostonian Masonry Corp., was also cited numerous times for similar safety violations.
In 2003, the firm didn’t adequately clear debris from a rooftop that crews were on or limit their exposure to power lines. In addition, Bostonian neglected to provide guardrails or safety nets for construction crews working at another college site.Bostonian also settled in a lawsuit in 2000 brought by a former employee who claimed his injuries were a direct result of the firm’s hazardous work conditions.
