An investigation into the collapse of the I-75 overpass could take up to six months, but the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is already alleging that the death of Brandon Carl was a preventable workplace incident.
At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, we believe that the safety of local residents needs to come first no matter if it is in the workplace or on the road. If you or someone you love has been injured due to the negligent actions of another individual or company, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim.Contact one of our workers’ compensation attorneys today for a free legal consultation.
According to OSHA area director Bill Wilkerson, a general theory about what happened has been made, but they are seeking evidence to back that theory up before making any further statements. OSHA intends to bring engineering experts to the site on Jan. 22 to examine materials on the bridge and talk with some of the contract workers who were on site at the time of the collapse.
“We have to question the work process, as well as the materials involved and some of the material damage that occurred. You really need to rely on people who understand the failures of the materials and why that may have occurred.” Wilkerson said in a statement to WLWT.
OSHA plans to work with local law enforcement, who took more than 1,000 aerial photographs of the area, as well as with Kokosing, the contractor performing the demolition work on the overpass.
According to statistics OSHA has compiled, a workplace fatality is reported once a week in Ohio and has been for the past three years. The total number of fatalities caused by falling, being struck in the workplace or being caught in equipment have increased by 84 percent since 2012.
The bridge collapse has residents and local political leaders questioning the safety of the Brent Spence Bridge as well. Less than six months ago, the bridge was the site of an 8-car-pileup, and at that time the bridge was considered functionally obsolete due to its narrow lanes, lack of emergency shoulders and limited visibility.
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