College reviewing construction safety
OSWEGO — Following an accident Friday morning, Nov. 9, that claimed the life of a construction worker, SUNY Oswego announced Friday that it would undertake a comprehensive review of safety on campus.
The ironworker — Lateef Haskins, 37, of Bayberry Circle in Liverpool — was installing metal roof decking on a new connector between Park and Wilber halls when he fell at about 8:25 a.m. He was pronounced dead at Oswego Hospital about an hour later.
He worked for Solvay Iron Works, a subcontractor of PAC & Associates of Oswego.
“We extend our deep condolences to his family and his co-workers,” SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley said. “It’s a tragic accident, unprecedented over the years of recent major construction at our college.”
The college’s University Police Department responded and has requested assistance from the Oswego County Sheriff’s Department as it conducts its investigation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was also on site Friday to review what happened.
President Stanley noted that the contractors and unions employed over the past 15 years on renovations of academic buildings and residence halls and construction of the Campus Center and science facilities at Oswego have maintained a good safety record.
“Given the seriousness of this accident,” she said, “we feel it is worth taking a timeout to review not only this incident and project, but all the construction work going on at our college.”
The college suspended all campus construction projects Friday to begin a safety inspection of construction sites and review the safety plans that are routinely submitted by each contractor.
The inspection and review will continue Monday, the Veterans Day holiday.
Major projects under way at the Oswego campus include construction of a new science complex and renovation of Park, Wilber and Sheldon halls.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE BELOW:
OSWEGO — A worker was injured in a construction accident at SUNY Oswego at about 8:25 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9. He was transported to Oswego Hospital and pronounced dead about an hour after the accident.
His name is being withheld pending notification of his family.
The victim was an ironworker with Solvay Iron Works, a subcontractor of PAC & Associates of Oswego. He was installing metal roof decking on a new connector between Park and Wilber halls.
The $17.2 million project is part of a renovation of SUNY Oswego’s School of Education. Work started in summer 2012. Park Hall and the new connector to Wilber Hall are scheduled to open next fall.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” said Julie Harrison Blissert, college spokesperson.
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