Washington state investigators on Thursday fined three companies involved in a crane collapse that killed four people in Seattle in April, determining that workers did not follow manufacturer instructions.
“The incident that occurred was completely avoidable,” Department of labor and industry Director Joel Sachs said at a news conference. “If the companies in place followed the rules, the crane would not fall.”
The collapse on April 27 killed two people who were driving cars, as well as two workers on a crane that was used in the construction of the Google office building. Four others were injured.
Authorities fined the crane supplier $ 70,000, the General contractor $ 25,000 and the construction crew $ 12,000. Murrow Equipment Co., the supplier, had to ensure the instructions were followed as an expert on site, officials said. Two other companies, GLY and Northwest Tower Crane Service Inc., were fined for improper training and for not having a supervisor present.
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The daughters of Alan Justad, a 71-year-old man who died when part of a crane fell on his car, described the findings as devastating.
“There is no acceptable reason why our beloved father is not with us today,” jade, Marika and Miro Justad said in a statement to the Seattle times. “The corners were recklessly cut and as a result, four people died. We will carry this tragedy with us forever .”
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State officials acknowledged that there is no law prohibiting workers from prematurely removing construction crane pins to speed up disassembly, the Times reported. The Department said it was considering new rules to prevent the practice.
Seattle police on Thursday confirmed they had launched a criminal investigation into the incident, but gave no further details. In 2008, the new York Prosecutor’s office indicted of manslaughter in two cases of the collapse of the crane. Both ended in acquittals.
Contribution: The Associated Press
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