The website Bizjournals is reporting that an investigation into the death of a U.S. Bank Stadium construction worker has led to fines against builder M.A. Mortenson Co. and contractor Berwald Roofing Co.
Berwald employee Jeramie Gruber, 35 of Northfield, died after falling 50 feet at the downtown Minneapolis Minnesota Vikings football stadium in August 2015.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration records show the workplace safety agency levied a $34,300 fine against Golden Valley-based Mortenson for a "serious" violation of general safety and health provisions ( defined here).
North St. Paul -based Berwald Roofing was cited for three violations:
$70,000 for a "willful" violation of fall protection system requirements ( defined here)
$44,100 for a "serious" violation of general safety and health provisions
$25,000 for a "serious" violation of OSHA's general duty clause, which requires compliance with safety standards and offer employees a workplace "free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm."
Mortenson and Berwald have not said whether a safety harness was worn by Gruber, who died of blunt force injuries of the head, or by another worker who was injured in the same Aug. 26 accident. Berwald has a history of safety violations, mostly related to workers not using safety harnesses or having guardrail protections.
The two companies are contesting the penalties, OSHA records show.
Source: Bizjournals
