OSHA fines contractors in crane mishap Machine lifting concrete slabs tipped over at Freeport site; $114,700 in penalties

AUGUSTA – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Monday it has fined two contractors a total of $114,700 following a crane accident at a Freeport construction site.

A crane that was lifting concrete slabs at a Hilton Garden Inn construction site became overloaded and tipped over on Dec. 2, 2004, according to OSHA officials.

Based on its investigation, OSHA said it was citing J.D. Irving Ltd. and Irving Equipment Inc. of Burlington, Mass., and TRB Development Group Inc. of Hooksett, N.H.

Irving, which operated the crane, is being fined $80,000. OSHA officials said the crane was overloaded and that the safety indicator was overridden and could not prevent the accident.

TRB Development is being fined $34,700, OSHA said. An inspection of the work site following the accident found that TRB employees were exposed to various workplace hazards, OSHA officials said.

“Construction work is hazardous to begin with,” said Anthony Lemire, OSHA’s acting director for Maine. “There’s no excuse for increasing the risk to workers.”

The companies have until mid-June to comply with the citations, contest them or request a conference with OSHA.

Barry Boisvert, a vice president with TRB Development, said the company will contest the citations. He said he disagrees with OSHA’s interpretation of events.

Irving spokeswoman Mary Keith said the company was reviewing the citations and had not yet decided whether to contest them.