Region 6 News Release: 13-2400-DAL
Dec. 19, 2013
Contact: Diana Petterson Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: petterson.diana@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

Houston-based employers cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA following
College Station equestrian building collapse that injured four workers
Gamma Construction Co. and Ramco Erectors Inc. cited for safety hazards

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Houston-based employers Gamma Construction Co. and Ramco Erectors Inc. for eight serious violations for failing to maintain the structural stability of the erection of a steel structure intended to serve the Texas A&M University equestrian shelter. The inspection began June 22 in response to the building collapse that day that injured four workers.

"Employers erecting steel structures must follow proper procedures for bracing and ensure an erection sequence that maintains the building's stability," said Casey Perkins, OSHA's area director in Austin. "Employers must ensure their work sites are evaluated for hazards and take corrective action to prevent injuries."

Ramco Erectors was cited for seven serious violations, with a penalty of $40,500, for failing to ensure that the steel structure was erected to maintain its structural stability; ensure fall protection components and wire rope clips used for rigging were of the drop-forged steel type; train workers on hazard recognition; provide a site-specific erection plan; inspect rigging components; and remove defective lifting hooks. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Gamma Construction, the project's general contractor, was cited for one serious violation, with a penalty of $6,300, for failing to ensure the steel structure was erected to maintain structural stability.

Gamma Construction employs about 150 workers nationwide, including 30 at the College Station work site. Ramco Erectors employs about 200 workers nationwide, with 19 at the building that collapsed, including the four injured. The companies have 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Austin, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Austin Area Office at 512-374-0271.

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 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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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 292-693-7828 or TTY 292-693-7755.