Posted on Wed, Jan. 29, 2003
OSHA points to faulty design in billboard collapse
Associated Press
SNELLVILLE, Ga. - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says faulty design and manufacturing led to a billboard collapse that killed three workers in August, a federal agency concluded.
OSHA's area director G.T. Breezley said the design by Thompson Engineering Group of Athens, Tenn., did not conform to steel industry requirements. He blamed Phoenix Structures & Service, also of Athens, Tenn., for welding flaws.
Breezley said he wanted the billboard industry to check every sign made by Phoenix or designed by Thompson. He's also notifying billboard companies and industry trade journals, but OSHA won't issue citations.
The workplace safety agency can impose punishment only when companies knowingly expose employees to a hazardous situation, Breezley said.
Trinity Outdoor of Buford bought the 35,000-pound billboard, and Fowler Sign Co. of Lilburn employed the workers who were killed.
This might be an iteresting case to follow through the TN Board of Professional Engineers and the court systems.
OSHA points to faulty design in billboard collapse
Associated Press
SNELLVILLE, Ga. - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says faulty design and manufacturing led to a billboard collapse that killed three workers in August, a federal agency concluded.
OSHA's area director G.T. Breezley said the design by Thompson Engineering Group of Athens, Tenn., did not conform to steel industry requirements. He blamed Phoenix Structures & Service, also of Athens, Tenn., for welding flaws.
Breezley said he wanted the billboard industry to check every sign made by Phoenix or designed by Thompson. He's also notifying billboard companies and industry trade journals, but OSHA won't issue citations.
The workplace safety agency can impose punishment only when companies knowingly expose employees to a hazardous situation, Breezley said.
Trinity Outdoor of Buford bought the 35,000-pound billboard, and Fowler Sign Co. of Lilburn employed the workers who were killed.
This might be an iteresting case to follow through the TN Board of Professional Engineers and the court systems.
