CHICAGO — There's new information about the scaffolding collapse in Hyde Park that killed one construction worker and injured another on Thursday as men were taking pictures of the side of the building where the scaffolding gave way. CBS 2 cameras captured two men wearing logos on their hard hats with the letters ESI. It's an engineering and scientific investigation and analysis firm. The men were taking pictures of the side of the building where the scaffolding gave way.
said they had opened inspections with Turner Construction, the General Contractor for the construction project; Hi-Tech Stake-Out Inc., the employer of the deceased worker; New Horizon Steel LLC, the employer of the injured worker; and Adjustable Concrete Construction, the scaffolding erectors. could issue citations or monetary penalties if workplace safety violations and/or health regulations are found.Twenty-seven-year-old David McDonnell of Oak Forest and a co-worker fell nine stories below while on the scaffolding. McDonnell died. Moments after the collapse, the scaffolding was swaying in the wind. A red metal area pulled away from the structure. It was later secured by workers.
inspection reports going back two years show at least a dozen inspections of Turner Construction worksites nationwide since January of 2022.Inspections were either planned or the result of complaints and referrals. Those inspections involved falls, an amputation, and a lack of appropriate safety training.Six of the inspections resulted in citations and fines totaling about $26,000.In a statement, New Horizon Steel told CBS2 that their injured employee is now stable and expected to recover fully.