LANSING -Sen. John Gleason (D-Flushing) and the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) today announced the conclusion of the investigation of a work accident at the Durant Hotel redevelopment project in Flint. Sen. Gleason requested a formal investigation into the worksite’s practices after a worker suffered a severe fall on September 9, 2008. As a result, four companies received Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) citations alleging they failed to adequately protect employees from fall hazards, with proposed penalties of up to $162,000.

“This was an extremely unfortunate incident, but based on the findings of this report, it’s extremely lucky that only one worker was injured,” said Gleason. “This investigation revealed what I have been concerned about all along-that standard safety practices were not being upheld on this project and that local men and women were being put in danger because of it.”

On September 9, a 23-year-old Buckeye Construction Inc. employee fell more than 80 feet out of a window opening that was not properly guarded while throwing debris out the window. The employee landed on a debris pile on the ground, and survived the fall but suffered multiple fractures and lacerations.

The MIOSHA inspection determined there were four companies-Buckeye Construction, William Keenoy Masonry, Prater Development, and Build Tech-at the site that were aware of the unguarded window openings on the seventh and eight floors where crews were removing debris, interior walls and windows, and workers were exposed to the associated hazards. As a result of the accident investigation conducted by MIOSHA Construction Safety and Health Division, these four companies received citations for alleged safety violations with total proposed penalties of $162,000.

“I have been a very outspoken proponent for ensuring this site was a safe working environment, and that these local jobs were going to Genesee County union contractors,” said Gleason. “This project still has tremendous potential, but I want to make sure that it is not just going toward revitalizing our downtown, but our local economy as well, and that employee safety remains a paramount concern for everyone involved.”

# # #