Bridge Collapse That Killed Worker Brings $86K in OSHA Penalties

Thursday, September 20, 2018 | 0

The collapse of a pedestrian bridge in March that killed an employee and injured five others at Florida International University spawned a total of $86,658 in proposed penalties by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

National Transportation Safety Board inspectors at the scene of the bridge collapse.
(NTSB photo)

OSHA issued seven citations to five companies involved in construction of the bridge at the Miami university: 

• Figg Bridge Engineers Inc., a civil and structural engineering company, $12,934.
• Network Engineering Services Inc. (doing business as Bolton Perez & Assoc.), a construction engineering and inspection firm, $12,934.
• Structural Technologies LLC (doing business as Structural Technologies/VSL), specializing in post-tensioning in bridges and buildings, $25,868.
• Munilla Construction Management LLC, a bridge and building construction company, $25,868.
• The Structural Group of South Florida Inc., a contractor specializing in concrete formwork, $9,054.

OSHA said the companies failed to protect workers when indications of a potential bridge collapse were evident. Violations included exposing employees to crushing and fall hazards, and allowing multiple employees to connect to an improperly installed lifeline.

“Collectively, these employers failed to take appropriate action and provide the necessary protections to their employees while they were working on the bridge on the day it collapsed,” stated OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt A. Petermeyer.