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Companies connected to Seattle crane collapse inspected dozens of times

The Department of Labor and Industries has investigated the five companies involved in the crane that collapsed in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood a total of 65 times.

Since 2014, the five companies being investigated after the crane collapse in Seattle have undergone a total of 65 inspections by the Department of Labor and Industries. Of those, however, just a few have found serious violations.

RELATED: What we know about the 4 Seattle crane collapse victims

General contractor GLY Construction

Gall Landau Young Construction Company (GLY Construction) was inspected eight times since 2014, according to information from L&I. Most inspections found no violations. 

Three notable inspections include:

  • March 7, 2017: One general violation for portable fire extinguisher missing a pin and tamper seal. No fine.
  • Nov. 16, 2016: Worker pinched between remote-controlled demolition robot and exterior wall. No violations were found.
  • June 7, 2018: Forklift operator struck by trolley line, received concussion. Initially resulted in a violation and penalty, but was later vacated under appeal, according to L&I. 

Morrow Equipment Company 

Morrow Equipment Company, the owner of the crane, was inspected once in 2015. No violations were found by L&I. 

Northwest Tower Crane Services

No violations have been found since 2014 for Northwest Tower Crane Services. The subcontractor was involved in the fatal 2006 crane collapse in Bellevue in which one person was killed. 

A notable inspection since 2014:

  • Eight-ton counterweight fell approximately 20 feet during tower crane disassembly in Aberdeen. No violations were found.

Omega Morgan

Subcontractor Omega Morgan underwent 10 inspections since 2014. No violations or hazards were found, according to L&I. 

Seaburg Construction

Seaburg Construction, the employer of the tower crane operator, was inspected 48 times since 2014, according to L&I. 

Notable inspections include: 

  • March 5, 2015: Operator’s arm was struck by beam. Minor injuries. No violations were found.
  • March 20, 2015: Operator hit head on a suspended load. No serious injuries. No violations were found.
  • March 30, 2015: Load of blocks fell after line snapped. A pin came loose and struck a member of the public. Two serious violations for not following manufacturer’s recommendations and for not having operational aids in working order when operations began. $1,800 total fine.
  • Aug. 8, 2017: Hoist block fell through two floors and injured a subcontractor employee. Two serious violations for failure to understand and apply information in crane manufacturer’s operating manual, and for failure to meet applicable manufacturer requirements for operation. $1,800 total fine.

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