OSHA Claims Demolition Contractor Deviated from Plans Causing Hangar Collapse

One willful safety violation will cost Catanzaro & Sons Enterprise, doing business as CATCO Demolition Services, $49,000 after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finds the contractor created worker safety hazards that led to a hangar collapse during demolition at the Newark International Airport in September 2015.

An OSHA inspection found the New Jersey demolition contractor deviated from the approved demolition plan and made unapproved cuts to several I-beams which weakened the structural members of the hangar while employees worked inside the building.

OSHA cited CATCO with one willful violation totaling $49,000 in proposed penalties. 

CATCO has 15 business days from receipt of the citation and proposed penalty to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.