TF Cornerstone has been slapped with a Department of Buildings violation for the Jan. 9 collapse of a crane at its 4610 Center Boulevard site in Long Island City, the Associated Press reported. Additionally, crane operator Paul Geer and Cross Country Construction have been slapped with five violations apiece, and face fines of at least $64,000. A site safety manager also received one violation.
DOB officials cited TF Cornerstone and safety manager Arthur Covelli for failing to safeguard property and people during construction; the charge comes with $2,400 in fines.
The DOB said that Geer and Cross Country failed to inspect equipment, did not take proper precautions and ran the crane unsafely. The collapse injured a total of seven workers, but none faced life-threatening injuries. The crane was lifting a 24,000-pound load, which was twice its maximum load. Geer, whom the AP was unable to reach, had his license suspended earlier this month.
Covelli and Cross Country did not respond to the AP’s requests for comment. TF Cornerstone has said “site safety is always our first priority.” [AP via Crain’s] —Zachary Kussin
CORRECTION: A previous version of This Article Said 4545 Center Boulevard was the site of a January crane collapse, according to previous published reports. 4610 Center Boulevard is where the crane collapsed.