Elevator company cited in 49ers stadium death

California safety officials have issued $54,000 in fines against

an elevator company whose employee was killed while working at the

San Francisco 49ers’ new stadium in Santa Clara.

Mechanic Don White, 63, was killed June 11 by an elevator

counterweight.

The state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health cited

Schindler Elevator Corp. on Tuesday for three serious violations,

including its alleged failure to enclose counterweights in freight

elevators with required guards.

State officials also said Schindler Elevator failed to ensure

that the elevator wouldn’t activate while a worker was in the

danger zone.

In a statement, Schindler said it intends to vigorously contest

the citations, noting that the state had initially found no

violations in connection with the incident.

”It is important to note that no additional facts were

solicited by Cal-OSHA from Schindler prior to its reversal of

findings,” the company said. ”We believe that Cal-OSHA’s initial

notice of no violation was an appropriate conclusion.”

California safety officials said in October that they had

rescinded their ”no violation” decision and were reopening their

investigation. The announcement came after a second worker, Edward

Lake Jr., 61, was killed at the stadium site when a load of rebar

fell on him.

The agency did not explain its decision. Spokesman Peter Melton

said Wednesday that Cal-OSHA reevaluated its initial findings

within the six-month deadline it had to issue citations and impose

penalties for violations.

The investigation into Lake’s death continues, Melton said.

The $1.2 billion stadium is slated to open next year.