Bituminous Insurance Companies

Half Million Dollar Fine Results from Two Fatalities

Two firefighters were killed while fighting the fire at the Deutsche Bank in New York City last August 2007. As a result of an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which identified 44 safety deficiencies, two contractors have been fined nearly a half million dollars. The two contractors were responsible for demolition and asbestos abatement in the building, which was condemned after one of the Twin Towers fell on it in the 9/11 attacks. An article in International Construction Review, entitled "Bovis and Galt fined," discussing the fines is available at http://www.ciobinternational.org/news/view/1285.

According to article, letting workers smoke, blocking fire exits, and allowing firefighting equipment to fall into disrepair were among the serious lapses that killed the two men.

OSHA cited the contractors for the following hazards:

• Failing to inspect and maintain firefighting equipment to ensure that the standpipe system was operational, and that sufficient water supply and water pressure were available for firefighting.
• Obstructing emergency exit access (including sealed emergency stairwells, emergency stairwells blocked by construction, and unlighted stairwells).
• Inadequate emergency escape procedures.
• Unmarked exits.
• Lack of fire extinguishers, emergency alarm procedures, and fire cutoffs.
• Failing to develop and follow a fire protection program.
• Smoking permitted in work areas.
• Temporary structures inside the building made of combustible materials.
• Scaffolds erected too close to power lines.
• Unprotected sides and edges of work areas, unprotected floor openings, missing or broken guardrails, and missing stair rails.
• Exposed live electrical parts, electric panel boards in wet locations, and other electrical hazards.

An electrical subcontractor was also issued five serious citations for a scaffold erected too close to a power line and other electrical hazards.

COPYRIGHT ©2008, ISO Services Properties, Inc.

The information contained in this publication was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. ISO Services Properties, Inc., its companies and employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with either the information herein contained or the safety suggestions herein made. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable safety procedure is contained herein or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional procedure.