April 3, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Engineering Firm, General Contractor,
Steel Erector, Other Subcontractors After New Orleans Construction Collapse

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Heaslip Engineering LLC, Citadel Builders LLC, Suncoast Projects LLC – doing business as Hub Steel – and eight subcontractors for safety and health violations at the construction site of a planned Hard Rock hotel in downtown New Orleans. Three workers suffered fatal injuries and 18 other workers suffered serious injuries in a partial building collapse. 

OSHA’s investigation determined that Heaslip Engineering LLC failed to adequately design, review or approve steel bolt connections affecting the structural integrity of the building, and issued one willful violation for the failure. OSHA cited Citadel Builders LLC, the site’s general contractor, for three serious violations related to inadequate egress from the structure. OSHA cited steel erector contractor Suncoast Projects LLC, for failing to maintain structural stability of building and cited other subcontractors onsite for serious violations related to emergency egress training, inadequate egress, fall hazard training and safety hazards. Collectively, the companies face $315,536 in penalties. 

“Employers must adhere to safety and health requirements to protect all workers on the jobsite,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “Failing to recognize hazards and implement necessary safety measures resulted in a preventable tragedy.”

OSHA’s Construction Industry Digest lists frequently used standards in construction and explains what employers should do to comply.

OSHA issued citations to Heaslip Engineering LLC, Citadel Builders LLC, Suncoast Projects LLC, HUTCO Inc, King Company LLC, Regional Mechanical Services LLC, Rush Masonary Inc, REYCO Inc, SS Construction and Consulting LLC, Southern Services and Equipment Inc, and F Mata Masonry LLC.

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citation 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.

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 help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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Media Contacts:

Chauntra Rideaux, 972-850-4710, rideaux.chauntra.d@dol.gov
Juan J. Rodríguez, 972-850-4709, rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

Release Number: 20-515-DAL

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The Department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).