Jobsite Fatality
Boston Demolition Site Accident Kills Operating Engineer
Worker fell nine stories after a parking garage being demolished partially collapsed
A construction worker died in Boston after the Government Center Parking garage partially collapsed.
Photo courtesy Boston Fire Dept. twitter feed
A construction worker operating an excavator as part of a parking garage demolition at a large Boston development was killed on March 26 when the floor collapsed and he fell nine stories, according to the city Fire Dept. and media reports.
The worker who died was identified as Peter Monsini, 51, a union operating engineer who was a member of Local 4 in Medway, Mass. Bill McLaughlin, the local's business manager, said in a website statement that Monsini had been a union member for 20 years. He was working for JDC Demolition.
Peter Monsini
Photo courtesy of Monsini Family
The parking garage is being demolished as part of the $1.5-billion Bulfinch Crossing project being developed by HYM Investment Group. The 4.8-acre project site—originally approved for 800 residential units and more than 1 million sq ft of office space—was recently redesigned to also include a 12-story life sciences building.
The condition of another person injured and hospitalized after the incident at the Government Center parking garage, which occurred at about 5:30 p.m., is unknown, say the reports.
Project general contractor John Moriarty & Associates released a statement saying the site was closed after a demolition subcontractor’s workers were evacuated.
“Structural engineers will ensure the site is safe and secure before any work resumes,” the firm said in its statement, according to media reports. “Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to the loved ones of the worker who lost his life.”
A U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration crew is working to determine the stability of the garage, which is built over a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority subway line. The agency is also investigating the collapse’s impact on its infrastructure..
