L&I said that Kiewit faces total penalties of $170,500 for three willful violations and one serious violation related to tower crane operations at the site, which has been making pontoons for the SR520 floating bridge.
L&I initiated an inspection in June after receiving a report counterweight of more than 5.8t broke loose as it was being lowered from a tower crane. The counterweight fell 6m to the ground, narrowly missing two workers.
The employer was cited for failing to follow several of the manufacturer’s recommended changes after being notified of problems with flawed or defective lifting lugs on the counterweights. Changes were recommended in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2011. Kiewit also did not follow the manufacturer’s recommendation to use alternative safety rigging on the counterweight, said L&I.
The employer has 15 business days to appeal the citations. Penalty money paid as a result of a citation is placed in the workers' compensation supplemental pension fund, helping workers and families of those who have died on the job.
