The second violation cites the company for failing to stop demolition work after an engineering error was discovered that could potentially cause the structural collapse.
The company has agreed to the settlement and will pay $14,000 in penalties by Aug. 31.
The company took immediate steps to correct the engineering hazards at the time of the incident. “Kokosing Construction has taken steps to prevent as similar tragedy from happening in the future,” said OSHA Area Director Ken Montgomery. Kokosing has also agreed to use a third party engineering firm for the next five years to conduct bridge demolition engineering surveys.
As part of its settlement conference with OSHA, Kokosing also agreed to pay a penalty of $5,000 for exposing workers to trench hazards while working in an excavation at depths of more than five feet in June 2015 at a Cincinnati construction site.
“This man and father of four died in a preventable workplace incident. His family will never recover from that loss and the loss of livelihood,” Montgomery said.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit OSHA.