Bigge Crane and Rigging Co., the owner of a construction crane that collapsed last weekend in Dallas, Texas, apparently has an extensive record of workplace safety violations.
OSHA Has Cited Bigge Crane and Rigging 17 Times
According to CBS 11/21, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Bigge Crane and Rigging at least 17 times over the past decade.
In 2013, for example, the California-based company received a $28,000 fine for four serious violations uncovered during an OSHA inspection that followed another fatal crane collapse in Russellville, Arkansas. OSHA had initially proposed fining Bigge Crane $56,700 for nine serious violation in connection with that incident, but agreed to the lesser amount following a formal settlement conference.
In March 2017, OSHA issued Bigge Crane and Rigging two “other-than-serious” violations and proposed an $8,000 penalty in connection with a fatal motor vehicle accident that left an employee dead. But the agency ultimately agreed to drop the fines and citations following another formal settlement conference.
State Safety Regulators Have Also Cited Bigge Crane
According to Business Insurance, OSHA also proposed penalties in excess of $56,000 for nine serious and other-than-serious violations found during an August 2017 inspection. The company is currently contesting those citations.
Bigge Crane and Rigging has also received fines and citations on the state level.
In April 2014, for example, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health cited Bigge Crane for failing to follow manufacturer’s procedures and for not having an assembly/disassembly director present during the erection of a fixed tower crane as required by the state’s Code of Regulations.
The company also contested in that case, but an administrative law judge affirmed the citation and a “reasonable” $10,000 penalty in May 2018.
Dallas Crane Collapse Remains Under Investigation
Bigge Crane and Rigging is one of the largest crane companies in the United States and has been in business for around 100 years.
The June 9th crane collapse in Dallas tragically killed a 29-year-old woman, injured five others, and decimated the Elan City Lights apartment building at 2627 Live Oak Street.
Although the area was experiencing a severe storm with winds as high as 75-80 mph at the time, that particular crane – the Peiner SK 415 – should withstand winds up to 95 mph.
So far, it’s not clear why the crane toppled over on Sunday. OSHA is investigating the fatal collapse and will likely examine a number of factors, including whether the crane was properly supported and secured.
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