OSHA cites American Building in death

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is fining American Building L.L.C. more than $50,000 in the death of a worker at the Chelsea Piers sports complex under construction in Stamford.

On Oct. 25 last year, while installing metal roofing at the 1 Blachley Rd. project in Stamford, Javier Salinas of Danbury fell 35 feet to his death. Salinas”™ family subsequently sued American Building; the project”™s prime contractor Ashforth Co. Inc.; Merritt Contractors Inc.; Chelsea Piers Connecticut L.L.C.; and property owner Stamford Exit 9 L.L.C., a development group that includes Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, Michael Wise Associates and the Connecticut Film Center.

The Connecticut Department of Labor separately brought American Building owner John Dosky up on a criminal charge of failing to pay back wages.

OSHA said American Building failed to ensure that safety harnesses for Salinas and two other workers were tethered to an anchorage point to protect against a fall. Another worker”™s lanyard was too long, OSHA said.

“Inadequate and ineffective fall protection can be as dangerous and deadly as no fall protection at all,” said Robert Kowalski, OSHA”™s area director in Bridgeport, in a written statement. “This employer was well aware that these workers were exposed to falls but did not take steps to eliminate a significant hazard. A combination of proper fall protection and effective training could have prevented this needless loss of life.”

The company has 15 business days to dispute the fine.