The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration on Dec. 19 cited two Texas contractors with eight serious violations and proposed $46,800 in fines, following the June collapse of a structure in an $80-million equestrian center under construction at Texas A&M University that injured four workers. The penalties come two weeks after a separate site accident on the College Station campus killed a 28-year-old worker employed by another contractor.
OSHA cited project subcontractor Ramco Erectors Inc., Houston, with seven violations for flaws in the erection process and failure to follow safety procedures. General contractor Gamma Construction received one citation for failing to ensure structural stability. An OSHA spokeswoman was not able to confirm by press time whether the firms would accept or contest the penalties. The workers have recovered from their injuries, says a published report in College Station.