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rescinded their ”no violation” decision and were reopening their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.