Monday, June 1, 2015

OSHA INVESTIGATES A CONSTRUCTION SITE OF ASHWORTH HOMES LLC. AFTER 20-YEAR-OLD RICARDO RAMIREZ AGUAS, OF NORTH AUGUSTA, WAS KILLED WHEN HE FELL ABOUT 20 FEET ONTO A CONCRETE FLOOR




MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015 

COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA (WRDW)

OSHA investigates a construction site after 20-year-old Ricardo Ramirez Aguas, of North Augusta, fell about 20 feet onto a concrete floor on May 15th. Aguas was pronounced dead a day later at Georgia Regents Medical Center.

The incident happened at a construction site where a home was being built by Ashworth Homes LLC. 

The Director of OSHA's Atlanta East Area Office, William Fulcher, confirms the agency is "actively investigating" the construction site to determine if safety regulations were violated. 

The incident occured on the 2100 block of Fothergill Drive.

Fulcher says Aguas employer was working as a subcontractor for Ashworth Homes. The company could take responsibility if violations are discovered.

"The general rule for construction fall protection starts at 6 feet,” Fulcher said. 

He adds anywhere above that height employers are supposed to provide fall prevention like railings and safety harnesses to prevent injury.

“Fall accidents in construction account for about 30 to 40 percent of all the fatal accidents that OSHA investigates here in Georgia,” Fulcher said