A lack of inspections and improper erection—including double-tee beams that lacked welds and columns that were not grouted—were factors in the Oct. 10 collapse of a parking garage under construction at Miami Dade College in Doral, Fla., that killed four workers, according to citations issued April 8 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
In all, OSHA issued citations for six "serious" violations against five firms involved with the project, with proposed fines totaling $38,360.
The agency cited Midway, Fla.-based general contractor Ajax Building Corp. for "not ensuring the parking garage structure was inspected and erected in accordance with (specifications)," and proposed a fine of $6,300.
OSHA hit Coreslab Structures, and its subsidiary, Solar Erectors, both of Medley, Fla., with a total of three citations and proposed fines of $20,860.
Solar Erectors was cited for two OSHA violations: for "not performing all the required welds and ensuring all the columns were properly grouted;" and for "columns not being braced in the north-south direction." Each violation carried a proposed penalty of $6,930.
Coreslab, which provided the precast concrete and designed the precast structure, was cited for not ensuring proper erection, and faces a potential fine of $7,000.
Florida Lemark Corp., Doral, the project’s grouting contractor, failed to perform "grouting of columns B-3 and A-3.3," according to OSHA, which proposed a fine of $6,300.
Additionally, OSHA’s citation against MEP Structural Engineering & Inspections, Coconut Creek, Fla., stated that the firm "failed to conduct inspections of 18 columns" and proposed a $4,900 fine.
When contacted by ENR, all five firms declined to comment.
The Oct. 10 progressive collapse killed four workers: Robert Budhoo, 53; Jose Calderon, 60; Carlos Hurtado de Mendoza, 48; and Samuel Perez, 53. Various lawyers collectively representing the deceased workers are pursuing wrongful death lawsuits against numerous firms involved with the project.
