OSHA Cites Engineer, 10 Contractors in Deadly Hard Rock New Orleans Collapse ConstructionDive | 04.07.2020 By Kim Slowey After a months-long investigation, OSHA has cited and
OSHA also said the engineering firm did not maintain the
fined 11 firms in connection with the October 2019 partial
required accident prevention programs and that Heaslip
collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans. The
created hazards for workers on the eighth through 18th
agency has proposed fines totaling $315,536, and all
floors by inadequately designing, reviewing and approving
companies have 15 days to contest the monetary fines
structural steel connections.
and citations.
Suncoast Projects LLC, dba Hub Steel, based in Groveland,
Heaslip Engineering LLC drew the largest fine, $154,214, and
Florida, had the second-highest total fines of $37,191, and
the only willful citation among the group. Among Heaslip’s
was cited for several jobsite deficiencies, including:
alleged violations were: • The company’s work resulted in design flaws such as the floor beams on the 16th floor being under-designed in load capacity. • The western side exterior bay not being tied into a rigid portion of the structure for floors nine through 15 between column lines one and nine. • Cantilevers on the 17th and 18th floors exceeded the manufacturer’s guidance for maximum spans.
• Failure to maintain the required material safety data sheets for the chemicals it used on the project. • Failure to provide adequate worker training on the proper use and handling of those materials. • Failure to ensure free and unobstructed egress from the building for structural steel workers on the seventh through 18th floors. • Failure to furnish workers with adequate personal protective equipment.
