MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Two companies working on the Minnesota Vikings' new stadium face fines of $173,400 for safety violations in the death of one worker and injury to another last summer.
U.S. Bank Stadium contractor Mortenson Construction of Golden Valley and subcontractor Berwald Roofing of North St Paul were cited after an investigation by the state Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
OSHA says Jeramie Gruber, 35, Faribault, and another man were installing a solid roof at the stadium in August when they fell and slid down the roof. The second man survived when he struck a post and was stopped but needed 48 stitches in his leg. Gruber broke through a guardrail and fell onto an elevated platform below.
The reports don't provide an explanation of the accidents, but the most serious alleged violation accuses Berwald of willfully failing to have workers use proper fall protection while working at heights above 6 feet.
That means OSHA found Berwald allegedly knew about a hazardous condition and didn't make a reasonable effort to eliminate it. It cited Berwald for Duty to Have Fall Protection, and fined it $70,000.
Investigators also fined Berwald Roofing an additional $69,100 for a General Duty Clause and General Safety and Health Provisions, giving them 3 citations total.
Mortensen Construction was cited for General Safety and Health Provisions and fined $34,300.
OSHA says both companies are contesting the fines, and that it may be months or even years before the case is closed.
Meanwhile, both companies issued statements saying they continue to cooperate with OSHA. Mortenson said Gruber's death was a "tragic incident" and "terrible accident" and that safety is a "core value."