L&I Fines General Contractor in Fatal Bridge Fall
Joe Arrants fell approximately 60 feet to the dock below; Kiewit/General/Manson, a joint venture, was cited for five serious safety violations with penalties totaling $14,400.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries recently cited the general contractor on the SR 520 Floating Bridge Project for serious safety violations following the death of a worker in March 2015. Joe Arrants fell approximately 60 feet to the dock below; Kiewit/General/Manson, a joint venture, was cited for five serious safety violations with penalties totaling $14,400.
Arrants and a second worker were removing concrete forms suspended from the bridge on March 12 "when one of the large forms shifted and caused the victim to fall. As he fell, the fall protection cable went over a steel edge and was severed. The investigation found that the victim had been working more than six feet above the anchor point of his fall protection, which is not recommended by the manufacturer and increases the risk of damage to the cable," according to L&I's news release.
The contractor was fined $4,800 for not ensuring that fall protection systems were used in accordance with fall protection standards and the manufacturer's recommendation during forming and stripping operations. Four more violations were found during the investigation:
- Not ensuring that all fall protection systems and components were inspected regularly for mildew, wear, damage and other deterioration and defects − $4,800
- Not having a lifesaving skiff immediately available in the event a worker fell into the water − $1,600
- Not providing a ring buoy with at least 90 feet of line, which would make rescue difficult if a worker fell into the water − $1,600
- Not ensuring that all hand tools and similar equipment were maintained in a safe condition − $1,600