Contractor Fined for Deadly Television Tower Collapse
The U.S. Department of Labor has fined a Florida contactor after a deadly television tower collapse in September 2017.
The tower broadcasts the signal for local South Florida channels WSVN and Local10. On September 27th a contractor, Tower King II Inc., was installing an antenna on the tower when it collapsed, resulting in the deaths of three employees.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigated the incident and report that a lifting apparatus collapsed, resulting in the workers’ fall. Local10.com quotes Steve Ellis, assistant chief engineer for WPLG, who said “When they were removing this gear, bringing the second piece down, what they call the gin pole lifting device collapsed.”
OSHA investigators determined that the incident was resulted when Tower King II Inc. contractors “failed to ensure the capacity of the rigging attachments were adequate to support the forces imposed from hoisting loads.”
OSHA fined Tower King II Inc. $12,934 having exposed the workers to the hazard. The fine is the maximum allowed by law.
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Attorney John H. (Jack) Hickey and his team handle a wide range of cases, including but not limited to cruise ship accidents, admiralty and maritime accident cases, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, railroad accidents and car accidents. We represent victims from all over the nation, the world and the state of Florida.