On Dec. 9, 2020, a building at the site of the former Killen Power Generating Station in Adams County collapsed, trapping five employees.
Now two companies involved in the demolition have been cited and penalized by the federal government for their role in the collapse.
Three workers who were in the building at the time of the collapse were found alive that day. The body of Douglas Gray was found on Dec. 12. The body of Jamie Fitzgerald of Boyd County was finally recovered on Jan. 9, 20201, after a month-long search and recovery effort.
When the building collapsed, its steel beams fell on and killed the two workers who had been among the crew employed to demolish the facility – one serving as a laborer cutting steel and the other a truck driver preparing to move the scrap metal off-site.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated the multi-employer project and cited two Michigan companies – general contractor Adamo of Detroit and SCM Engineer Demolition Inc. of East China. Both were cited for multiple safety violations on the demolition project, including violations of the general duty clause and failing to inspect the site regularly to detect potential hazards resulting from the demolition process, such as weakened or deteriorated floors, walls and loosened material, according to the OSHA report.
OSHA also determined that the companies allowed employees to continue working under hazardous conditions without adding shoring, bracing, or other means to steady the structure and failed to train them on identifying potential hazards.
“Some of the most dangerous construction projects are those that involve demolishing buildings,” said OSHA Area Director Kenneth Montgomery in Cincinnati. “This tragedy could have been prevented if the employer protected their workers with proper planning, training and appropriate personal protective equipment and by complying with OSHA standards.”
OSHA proposed penalties of $181,724 to Adamo for one willful, repeat, serious and other-than-serious safety violations. SCM Engineer faces penalties of $12,288 for three serious violations.
Both companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, officials said.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, education and assistance.
The construction of the Killen Station, which is located along US 52 in Adams County, began in 1974, with the plant opening for operation in 1982. It was closed in May 2018, and was purchased by Commercial Liability Partners, LLC.. An announcement was made in December 2019 that the station, along with the J.M. Stuart Station, would be demolished.
