Two Michigan companies have been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in connection with a building that collapsed in December, killing two employees.
The Killen Power Generation Station building, located in Adams County, collapsed on Dec. 9 during a demolition project. An investigation led by OSHA found that the building's steel beams fell and killed two workers on the project – one who was cutting steel and a truck driver on-site to move scrap metal.
The general contractor Adamo and SCM Engineering Demolition Inc. were cited for multiple safety violations, including failing to inspect the demolition site regularly in order to find potential hazards. Hazards could include weakened floors, walls or loose materials, the Ohio Department of Labor said.
OSHA said that the two companies allowed the workers to continue the project under hazardous conditions and failed to train the employees to identify potential hazards.
"Some of the most dangerous construction projects are those that involve demolishing buildings," said OSHA Cincinnati Area Director Kenneth Montgomery. "This tragedy could have been prevented if the employer protected their workers with proper planning, training and appropriate personal protective equipment and by complying with OSHA standards."
OSHA proposed that Adamo face a penalty of $181,724 safety violations. They also proposed that SCM Engineering be cited with $12,288 for three serious violations.
Both companies have 15 days to comply with the citations or choose to contest the penalties before the Occupation Safety and Health Review Commission.
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