More than five months after the Center City building collapse that killed six people, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited two demolition contractors for their role in the collapse.
According to OSHA, Griffin Campbell of Campbell Construction and Sean Benschop of S&R Contracting were cited for various safety violations, which included three willful violations – two for Campbell Construction and one for S&R Contracting, which are “committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.”
“This tragic incident could and should have been prevented,” David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, said in a release.
Officials from OSHA could not be reached for further comment.
The announcement from OSHA comes two weeks after Mayor Michael Nutter announced the creation of a special independent advisory commission to look into the practices of the Department of Licenses and Inspections and the collapse that occurred on June 5.
“That day seared my soul in sorrow,” Nutter said of the collapse at a press conference announcing the commission.
The commission will evaluate L & I and report its findings by July 1, 2014, Nutter said.
“The purpose of this commission is to conduct a full, independent assessment and to provide recommendations on the practices and the operations of the Department of Licenses and Inspections, with the goal of improving public safety,” Nutter said at the press conference.
A spokesperson for L & I did not return a call for comment.
Earlier this year, City Council released its report on the collapse that included recommended changes to demolition practices in the city.
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