A tragic incident in Sea Isle, New Jersey, involving the collapse of a residential building balcony, has led to a U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation. The accident occurred in February and resulted in the death of construction worker Jose Pereira. OSHA found several violations related to the incident, including a failure to properly stabilize the balcony and improper securing of lifelines. The investigation revealed that the balcony was not inspected as work progressed to determine if shoring or bracing was needed, and workers were not adequately instructed on recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions. The contractor, Ferguson Contracting Inc., received five violations and over $18,000 in proposed fines. OSHA also cited the contractor for failing to provide a safe work environment and neglecting to identify and evaluate respiratory hazards. The tragic incident underscores the importance of stringent safety measures in construction work.
