06/15/09: OSHA Investigates Parking Ramp Collapse

Original YNN Buffalo Air Date: 06/15/09
Buffalo Fire and US OSHA inspectors are taking necessary precautions as they survey the damage at a parking ramp on West Huron Street.
That’s where 47 year old Timothy Skalski fell three floors while still inside a pay loader construction vehicle. Skalski was trapped for nearly two hours as first responders raced to safely pull him from the wreckage.
Fire officials say Skalski reportedly suffered shoulder and neck injuries and was rushed to Millard Fillmore Hospital. But just how the construction worker got stuck in that situation is the question investigators are trying to answer.
“The rig was obviously too heavy the wood floor was not going to support it. It went into the basement. But all they were doing was moving some materials stored in there,” said Buffalo Economic Development Permit and Inspection Services’ James Comerford.
OSHA officials spoke with us but chose not to appear on camera. We’re told OSHA investigators are waiting to speak with the victim and the building owners to get their accounts.
OSHA officials will also look in to what type of construction work was taking place here and if the floors were able to withstand the weight of a pay loader.
Buffalo city inspectors say they are looking to make sure the building is structurally sound. To date, safety officials say the parking garage was in use and open for business before the accident. They do not expect another collapse any time soon.