Negligence by construction company leads to collapsed wall, employee fatality and injury
Onekey LLC, a company for managing and developing construction, has been summoned by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for failing to establish safeguards and training for employees that were exposed to crushing hazards from the collapse of a concrete retaining wall. From the death of one and the injury of another, Onekey is looking at a proposition of $281,583 in penalties.
When OSHA began investigating in August 2017, the administration discovered that a registered engineer had not designed or even approved the building of the retaining wall. The collapse of the wall crushed and killed an employee of a subcontractor, New Generations Masonry. Other citations placed on Onekey include failing to properly train employees about the wall and failing to provide protections in case the wall fell.
Robert Garvey, the OSHA Albany Area Office Director, said, “This incident should have been prevented. Establishing and maintaining effective construction safeguards, and providing adequate employee training are crucial to protecting employees from serious or fatal injuries.”
Onekey has 15 business days from receiving these citations to make a decision. The options are complying with the penalties, meeting with OSHA’s area director and contesting with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.