North Carolina News

Construction company fined after NC worker falls 21 stories to his death

fatal skyscraper fall 1_1544701014154.JPG.jpg
The skyscraper that Juventino Mata-Hernandez fell from (WBTV)WBTV
By: 
  • WBTV
  • Posted: 
  • Updated: 
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A citation has been issued to a construction company after an employee died at a job site in uptown Charlotte.
The incident happened at a construction site off South Tryon Street back in May. Juventino Mata-Hernandez, 24, fell 21 stories from a building that was under construction, according to the N.C. Department of Labor.
Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident. A worker at the site said Hernandez was in a hoist elevator that malfunctioned.
The Department of Labor announced Wednesday that Gilbane Building Company was being cited as a result of the agency’s inspection that began after Mata-Hernandez’ death. The company was cited for four serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina, according to Mary Katherine Revels, the department’s public information officer.
The violations include a bridging device not being secured to a hoist, the hoist having mechanical issues and the employer not maintaining programs for inspections. One excerpt from the citation reads, “a subcontractor's employee fell out of the hoist when the hoist moved with the gates opened and the safety mechanisms were not functional.”
The company is now being required to pay $20,300 in fines. They have requested an informal conference regarding the matter with the Labor Department, according to Revels.
WBTV has reached out to Gilbane Building Company for comment on the citation.
Copyright 2018 WBTV. All rights reserved.
WBTV
Previous
Reverend asks for investigation into...
Next
Woman charged with 2nd degree murder,...