OSHA opens investigation as Miami-Dade records identify Keller North America as soil-improvement contractor
An 85-ft drilling rig working at the site of Citadel’s planned global headquarters in Miami toppled into Brickell Bay Drive Sept. 14, striking vehicles and a construction container, sending three workers and a motorist to hospitals.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into the incident, agency spokesperson Erika Ruthman confirmed to ENR Sept. 15. The agency declined to provide additional information while the investigation is underway.
Miami Fire Rescue said the rig fell near SE 12th Street and Brickell Bay Drive, striking three vehicles and crushing a construction container where two workers became trapped. Technical rescue crews freed the workers, while firefighters also extinguished a vehicle fire.
All 18 workers at the site were accounted for, Miami Fire Rescue Chief Robert Hevia told reporters. Three workers, including the 47-year-old rig operator and two workers ages 27 and 29, were taken to Ryder Trauma Center. A motorist was taken to HCA Florida Mercy Hospital. Officials described the injuries as minor.
Miami-Dade County permit records reviewed by ENR identify Keller North America Inc. as the contractor for soil-improvement work at 1201 Brickell Bay Drive. The permit was issued Jan. 16 and remained active at the time of the incident. Keller did not immediately respond to ENR’s request for information about whether it owned or operated the rig or employed the injured workers.
Fire officials have described the equipment as a drilling rig used in soil-improvement work, rather than a conventional construction crane. Local authorities initially referred to the incident as a crane collapse.
Rendering shows the planned Citadel global headquarters along Miami’s Brickell waterfront, where foundation and soil-improvement work is underway.
Rendering courtesy Citadel
Related Cos., which is developing the project with Citadel, said in a statement that it was working with city and county officials to secure the site and investigate the incident.
Miami-Dade building officials also responded to the site. The county’s online record for the soil-improvement permit lists no inspection dates, dispositions or inspection comments.
The accident occurred during early construction work for Citadel’s planned headquarters at 1201 Brickell Bay Drive. ENR previously reported that the Foster + Partners-designed tower had received Federal Aviation Administration approval to rise as high as 1,049 ft and that the project would include approximately 1.7 million sq ft of space. Citadel is developing the property with Related Cos.
Citadel describes the project as its future global headquarters in Miami’s Brickell financial district. The firm’s current project materials call for about 1.2 million sq ft of office and tenant amenity space, along with a luxury hotel, restaurants and other amenities.
