Companies Fined in Conjunction with Church Collapse

By Danielle Briones

Published on July 23, 2005

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued 24 citations against Cole Construction and six against All Crane Equipment Rental Corp. in June.

Originally, Cole Construction was fined more than $11,000, but OSHA reduced the fines to $6,100 under an informal settlement in which the company agreed to correct the alleged problems but did not admit wrongdoing.

All Crane and Equipment Rental is contesting the $5,700 in citations it was fined.

At the time of the accident in March, the workers were erecting wooden trusses for the roof of the Cross Worship Center. Thirty-six trusses weighing 684 pounds each collapsed in the accident.

An inspection by OSHA found that workers did not properly brace the trusses and crane operators failed to determine the gross load before raising the trusses.

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