Two contractors working on the JW Marriott Hotel in Orlando, Fla. are facing numerous safety violations after two workers died at the work site.
OSHA has fined PCL Construction Services Inc. and Universal Engineering Sciences to the tune of $157,792 after the fatalities.
“Using specified drawings and shoring plans may have prevented these fatalities,” said OSHA Tampa Area Office Director Les Grove, in a statement.
The workers were pouring concrete on the seventh floor when the support structure collapsed.
The agency discovered the contractors failed to inspect formwork, shoring, working decks and scaffolds properly prior to construction to ensure that the equipment met the required specified formwork drawings.
OSHA also issued PCL Construction Services Inc. a willful citation for failing to design, fabricate, erect, support and brace the formwork so that it was capable of supporting vertical and lateral loads.
Additionally, OSHA sent a hazard alert letter to Puleo’s Concrete Inc. and C&C Pumping Services Inc., employers of the two deceased workers, recommending that they develop a workplace policy to follow-up with the general contractor to ensure installation of shoring equipment according to the most recent drawings.
The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
