Demolition was under way surrounding the library on the campus of Allegheny College when a wrecking ball being used to remove brick planter boxes and pavers broke loose and began its journey down the street. After making a left turn onto another street, the ball traveled seven-tenths of a mile downhill before coming to a stop in the trunk of a car driven by a college junior. By the time the ball came to a rest, 13 vehicles had been damaged.Three people were transported to Meadville Medical Center for treatment and later released. It is very fortunate no one was severely injured or killed.
The mission of OSHA, which was created under the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1971, is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Top inspection priority is given to reports of accidents about to happen, followed by fatalities and/or accidents serious enough to send three or more workers to the hospital. Employee complaints are ranked third on the priority list, followed by referrals from other government agencies and targeted inspections.
Depending on the likelihood the violation will result in serious harm to workers, OSHA penalties range from nothing to a maximum of $70,000. Less-than-serious and serious violations are subject to penalties up to $7,000; penalties as high as $70,000 are reserved for repeat and willful violations, according to the OSHA Web site.
OSHA has a maximum of six months to issue a citation. Once the investigation is complete and the case closed, the results will be made available to the public.
Employers have a right to protest citations or penalties before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; notices of contest must be filed within 15 working days of the issuance of the citation.
Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. But if you are seriously injured or you know someone who died from an unsafe work place or construction site accident, please contact a lawyer with a winning track record for construction site accidents. Contact the Pennsylvania law firm of Anapol Schwartz.
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