The North Carolina Dept. of Labor is proposing a fine of more than $150,000 for one of the contractors involved in a March 23 scaffolding collapse on the 11-story Charter Square building project in Raleigh that killed three workers. The agency is also proposing fines for two other firms—Jannawall Inc. and Juba Aluminum Products Co.—for a total proposed fine of over $160,000.
On Sept. 23, the agency announced it had cited Associated Scaffolding Co. Inc. with three alleged willful violations and one alleged serious violation of state safety regulations, for a total proposed penalty of $151,900. The willful violations—which carried proposed fines of $49,000 each—included: failure to have a competent person determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds; improper installation of the KlimerLite scaffolding system; and overloading of the system. Associated Scaffolding was also cited for not having a competent person inspect the scaffolding and related components for visible defects prior to each work shift. That serious violation carries a potential fine of $4,900.