OSHA Fines Midtown Crane Collapse Contractors

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a number of violations related to the March 15 crane collapse in Turtle Bay, which killed seven people.

OSHA blamed the collapse on a $40 nylon sling, which the Daily News called "torn and tattered from years of misuse." OSHA regional director Richard Mendelson said the sling had "cuts and snags that existed before the March 15 disaster. I don't think the slings cost more than $40 each. There was no practical reason for not replacing one that is worn out."

Rapetti Rigging Services was hit with $220,000 in proposed fines and charged with "willful violations"--"with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health"--and serious violations--ones where "death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.”

Rapetti's lawyer says they will fight the charges. Two other contractors were also cited and hit with possible fines. City Council member Jessica Lappin told the Sun, "Ultimately there was a failure here to follow basic safety protocol and a heartbreaking tragedy resulted from it. These are harsh penalties and I think totally appropriate." And last month, it was reported the construction site where the crane had been working might face foreclosure.