Cal/OSHA cites three contractors for Oakland structure collapse

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday said it has cited three contractors a total of $147,315 in penalties for safety violations after the collapse of a temporary mold and vertical shoring at an Oakland construction site hospitalized 13 workers.

In May, workers at 3039 Broadway, a 435-unit mixed-use project, were pouring concrete into elevated formwork when the shoring system supporting the formwork collapsed, the California Department of Industrial Relations said in a statement. The workers fell 20 feet, along with freshly poured concrete, reinforcing steel, timber framework, tools and equipment. One worker's injuries required surgery, according to a statement.

Cal/OSHA investigated and found the formwork and vertical shoring system that collapsed were not properly designed, installed or inspected. Cal/OSHA issued serious and serious accident-related citations to subcontractors Largo Concrete Inc. and N.M.N. Construction Inc. for $73,365 and $70,320, respectively. General citations were issued to general contractor Johnstone Moyer Inc. for $3,630 in proposed penalties, according to the statement.

“Significant safety lapses caused injuries that could have been much worse if the workers hadn’t landed in freshly poured concrete. Employers must identify, evaluate and correct unsafe working conditions and follow all requirements to prevent employee injuries and illnesses,” said San Francisco-based Cal/OSHA chief Juliann Sum.

Largo Concrete and N.M.N. Construction declined to comment. Representatives from Johnstone Moyer could not be immediately reached for comment.