OSHA Seeks $240K Fine from R.I. Contractor for Mass. Building Collapse

Federal regulators have cited a Rhode Island construction company for 15 alleged safety violations and proposed nearly $240,000 in fines for a building collapse in Taunton that injured eight employees.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Ajax Construction, of Harrisville, R.I., for alleged violations of steel erection safety standards in the Dec. 4 collapse of an industrial warehouse that was under construction.

OSHA investigators said a truck was improperly used to straighten a steel column that was disconnected from an overhead girder. The girder and overhead decking where employees were working collapsed.

Ajax Construction has 15 days to contest the citations before an independent review commission. The company had no immediate comment.