Building collapsed-1 dead- $83,500 fine for 13 violations

[underpants]

Chester contractor fined $83,500 in connection with building collapse
http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/COLL21_20090420-222011/261050/

The state has fined McBar Industries Inc. of Chester $83,500 for 13 alleged violations in connection with last year's fatal collapse of a two-story building in Chester Village Green.

The most serious violation, for which McBar was fined $70,000, said the company exposed workers to "potential crushing injuries" by failing to follow manufacturing specifications in installing and bracing the metal studs used in the building, according to a citation letter.

Scott Giordano, 38, of Prince George County, who was installing insulation for McBar on the first floor, died when the building fell.

McBar Industries, the project's general contractor, has contested all 13 violations, and an informal hearing will be held to negotiate the final disposition of the case, said Jennifer Wester, a labor and industry spokeswoman. If the state and McBar can't come to some agreement, the matter could go to circuit court, she said.

Three of the 13 violations have been corrected, according to the citation letters.

It also says McBar decided to complete certain second-floor residential units -- prior to completing certain first-floor commercial units -- because the residential units had been sold while some of the commercial units had not.

"Because the first floor commercial units had not been sold, the employer did not install Sheetrock on the metal studs because the final electrical and plumbing plans were not in place (Sheetrock would have provided some lateral bracing)," the citation says.

A multijursidictional grand jury determined that no one was criminally negligent in the collapse.