OSHA investigating Aug. 9 accident at GapVax site
By Patrick Buchnowski
pbuchnowski@tribdem.com
The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating an Aug. 9 incident at a Johnstown business where authorities said two workers fell about 16 feet into an excavation ditch.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a probe into the contractor, Brian Lees Construction LLC of Johnstown, said Dave Rhodes, assistant area director for OSHA’s Pittsburgh area office.
City firefighters had to rescue two men from an excavation ditch where a tank was being installed at the GapVax Inc. site at 575 Central Ave. in the city’s Moxham section.
“Basically, while working at the top of the tank, both workers fell approximately 16 feet to the base of what was being excavated,” Johnstown fire Chief Anthony Kovacic said at the time.
One man was assisted by the use of a ladder. The second worker was pulled out using ropes and a pulley system, Kovacic said.
The investigation could take six months, Rhodes said.
The construction company could be fined if violations are found.