OSHA cites contractors after scaffolding collapse in Bradenton Beach, killing one
Two contractors are facing citations and fines after carpenters fell while working on a three-story home in Bradenton Beach on June 23, killing one of them and seriously injuring the other.
Both men were up the makeshift scaffolding the wood plank they were standing on teetered, and both men slid off and fell two stories down, or about 25 feet, a witness told Bradenton Beach police. The scaffolding was anchored to the wall with just nails, which came out causing the fall.
One of the carpenters of the crew leader, Abelino Olvera, 49, of Arcadia, died moments later, despite efforts by paramedics.
The second worker, a 40-year-old Bradenton man, survived the fall but was rushed to Blake Medical Center where he was treated for several broken bones in his leg, knee, ribs and nose.
Neither worker was wearing a safety harness.
In late December, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited and proposed $41,739 in fines against their employer, Alejandro Carpentry Inc.
Alejandro Carpentry failed to have someone competent train the workers to recognize fall hazards, failed to hire a registered professional engineer to design the scaffolding system, and failed to anchor or brace the outrigger’s beams properly.
The company also failed to report the work-related death to OSHA within 8 hours, as required by law.
“One man’s family is left to grieve, and another man suffered serious injuries because Alejandro Carpentry did not take the necessary steps to prevent this tragic event,” said OSHA Area Director Danelle Jindra in Tampa, Florida.
“Falls continue to be a leading cause of death and serious injury in the construction industry. OSHA encourages industry employers to contact our staff to recognize and address safety hazards so their workers can return home safely at the end of the day.”
Alejandro Carpentry contested the citations and fines. The penalties have been abated to $20,900.
The main contractor on the home, Lighthouse Property Innovations LLC, of Holmes Beach, was also cited by OSHA with $4,096 in proposed fines for failing to have someone competent frequently and regularly inspected the job site, or materials and equipment to identify and mitigate safety and health hazards.
Miami Herald reporter David J. Neal contributed to this report.
