Cal/OSHA Fines Firm in Subway Tunnel Death
After probing the death of a subway construction worker in Universal City, state inspectors Friday cited a contractor for five serious worker safety violations and imposed fines of $18,750.
The action by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health came six months after Brian Bailey, 36, was killed when struck in the head by a so-called grab hook on a hoist used to lift the 30-ton “muck bucket” of dirt and rocks out of the tunnel.
“Our inspectors determined that certain operating practices were not taken which could have prevented the accident,” Cal/OSHA Chief John Howard said.
Cal/OSHA cited tunnel builder Traylor Bros./Frontier-Kemper for failing to keep a walkway outside a warning fence clear of debris, failing to sound a warning signal to notify employees of the impending movement of equipment and failing to prevent equipment from hitting passing employees. The contractor also was cited for failing to provide a safe means of access to the employee’s workstation.
A Traylor Bros. executive, citing a prohibition on MTA contractors speaking to reporters, referred calls to the Transportation Authority. An MTA spokesman said the agency planned to shut down work at the Universal City site on Monday to review job safety with workers.
The contractor can appeal the citations to the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board.
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