A federal investigation into the death of a worker and the injury of another at a construction site in Bradenton Beach has resulted in citations and fines.
Two men doing framing work at a residential construction project in Bradenton Beach June 23 had no warning when the platform beneath them failed, causing both to fall about 25 feet — roughly two stories — to the ground.
A 49-year-old carpenter and crew leader suffered head trauma and died at the scene and a second worker, a 40-year-old carpenter, suffered fractures to his leg, knee, ribs and nose and needed transport to a local hospital, according to a Dec. 23 news release from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
OSHA did not identify the workers but Islander archives identify the man who died as Abelino Olvera and the injured man as Daniel Jose Leon Tomas.
OSHA investigated and determined the employer, Alejandro Carpentry Inc., failed to have a competent person train the workers to recognize fall hazards.
According to the release, OSHA also cited the company for not hiring a registered professional engineer to design the scaffolding system and failing to anchor or brace the outrigger’s beams properly.
Additionally, OSHA cited the company for failing to report a work-related death to the agency within eight hours, as federal law requires.
OSHA proposed Alejandro Carpentry face $41,739 in penalties.
“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,” OSHA area director Danelle Jindra stated from Tampa.
OSHA said a second company, identified as the project’s prime contractor, Lighthouse Property Innovations LLC of Holmes Beach, did not have a competent person conduct frequent and regular inspections of the job site or materials and equipment to identify and mitigate safety and health hazards.
OSHA proposed Lighthouse pay $4,096 in penalties.
Both companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The Islander did not reach representatives from the companies on deadline Dec. 27.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 makes employers responsible for providing safe and healthy workplaces. OSHA ensures safe conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards.
— Staff report