10.06.2008

The investigation continues

Richard Mendelson, regional director of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a statement concerning the progress of its investigation into the failure of the slew ring assembly on the Kodiak crane that collapsed in New York at the end of last month, which killed two workers.

The weld that failed was part of a replacement bearing assembly which had been made in China for New York Crane Service. Investigators are not sure if the welding in China was at fault or if the weld had been adversely affected when the part was welded into the turntable assembly by Brady Marine, a welding company in Elizabeth New Jersey.

The Chinese part was made to repair the turntable, which had been damaged on another New York building site a year ago.

"It is possible that the weld in China was okay and that the welding process in Elizabeth could have affected it. That's what we're looking into." Said Mendelson

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