When will fines be paid for deadly walkway collapse that killed worker?

A Marietta construction worker was killed on December 19 of last year when a walkway under construction at the Atlanta Botanical Garden collapsed.  Eighteen other workers were also injured in the collapse.

According to OSHA three companies were cited for “serious problems” with the working environment that they provided for their workers.  As a result of OSHA’s investigation into what caused the death of worker Angel Chupin, 66, the three companies were supposed to turn over $26,250 to OSHA.

However the three companies – Hardin Construction Company of Atlanta, Williams Erection Company of Smyrna, and Southeast Access of Kennesaw – all filed appeals which postponed their fines.

OSHA believes that each company contributed to the accident.  According to OSHA both Hardin and Williams did not adequately anchor the towers that they constructed to support the walkway and Southeast Access did not properly inspect the towers.  Each company objected to OSHA’s findings.

As a condition of the appeal each company will have to present evidence before a judge explaining why they were not at fault for the deadly accident.  The hearing, which will be held by OSHA, does not yet have a date.

The Hardin Construction Company also performed work on a midtown Atlanta parking garage that collapsed in early July.  Nobody was injured in that collapse but 45 cars were damaged.

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