Unsecured Crane Leads to Penalties for Western Specialty Contractors

St.Louis, Mo.-based Western Specialty Contractors is facing criminal charges and $155,204 in penalties for exposing employees to serious injuries.

On June 25, 2018, an unsecured mini-crane overturned and fell four stories at a New York City worksite.

“This employer knowingly put workers at risk by failing to ensure that the crane was operated by a competent person,” said Kay Gee, OSHA’s Manhattan area office director, in a statement. “Effective training of employees, knowledge of equipment’s limits, and correct operation of equipment are critical to preventing injuries.”

OSHA opened an investigation and cited Western Waterproofing Co. Inc., doing business as Western Specialty Contractors, for not training or evaluating the worker who assigned to operate the crane.

The worker did not verify the weight of the load and operated in excess of its lifting capacity.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has announced a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with Western Specialty and the indictment of the company's project manager.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.