Ruling Upholds Willful Violation Against Sub in Building Collapse

An administrative law judge ruled on April 5 that Southern Pan Services, Lithonia, Ga., formwork subcontractor, willfully broke federal safety rules while working on a 413-car parking garage in Jacksonville, Fla., which collapsed during a concrete pour in December 2007, killing a construction worker. Administrative Law Judge Ken S. Welsch determined Southern Pan removed building supports but neglected to follow engineers’ plans to leave the supports in place during construction. Welsch set the fine at $40,000, although federal safety officials had sought a fine of $132,000. An attorney for Southern Pan did not comment.