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DOB investigates death at CU site
After issuing an immediate stop-work order at a Columbia demolition site, the New York City Department of Buildings is now investigating what caused the death of a construction worker who fell from scaffolding into an elevator shaft on Friday, Feb. 5.
By Sarah Darville • February 10, 2010 at 11:49 AM
By Sarah Darville • February 10, 2010 at 11:49 AM
The Department of Buildings has stopped construction at a Columbia demolition site to investigate the death of a worker.
After issuing an immediate stop-work order at a Columbia demolition site, the New York City Department of Buildings is now investigating what caused the death of a construction worker who fell from scaffolding into an elevator shaft on Friday, Feb. 5.
A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said on Sunday that 51-year-old Jozef Wilk fell from third-floor scaffolding into an interior elevator shaft at 3229 Broadway, where 125th and 129th streets meet in Manhattanville. He was treated for cardiac arrest after the incident but was declared dead on arrival at St. Luke's Hospital.
According to DOB spokesperson Tony Sclafani, the agency has issued several violations since the incident.
After the initial incident inspection, the DOB cited Breeze National, a subcontractor of Bovis Lend Lease, the company managing the project, for failing to safeguard persons and property, and again for having an open and unguarded elevator shaft. On Tuesday, after further inspection, the DOB also cited the project for improperly constructed scaffolding.
"Following the accident, the DOB inspectors responded to the demolition site, investigated the accident, and inspected the site itself, and as a result of the accident, we issued a full stop-work order to the entire job," Sclafani said.
Wilk was an employee of Breeze National, according to Bovis Senior Vice President Mary Costello.
"An investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and coworkers," Costello said in an email on Tuesday.
A spokesperson from Breeze said it was too early to comment on Tuesday.
Columbia spokesperson Robert Hornsby confirmed that Wilk was a Breeze employee, and said in an email, "At this time, our thoughts and concerns are with Mr. Wilk's family. The New York City Department of Buildings is presently conducting an investigation as it normally does in such situations so we do not yet have all the facts of this incident."
He added, "The University holds the safety of all individuals associated with construction projects among its highest priorities."
On Tuesday afternoon, with the stop-work order still in place, only a security guard and two inspectors were on site at 129th Street. Johnnie Green, an Eddington Security employee, said, "Basically, everything's been put to a stop. After the incident occurred, that's when everything went into effect."
Brett Dalia, one of the Bovis inspectors at 129th, confirmed that they were doing an inspection, but declined to comment on any specifics.
It is unclear how long demolition will be delayed.
Sclafani said that when a serious accident occurs, the DOB usually orders the contractor and developer to produce reports on the incident and analyze the entire site, which can delay future work.
Mario Fernandez, an employee at Pearlgreen Corporation, which operates across 129th Street, confirmed that there has been minimal activity since the incident. "When I left Friday, I saw ambulances, police department, the FDNY here. Today ... it seems kinda quiet," he said.
Meanwhile, in Jackson Heights, Queens, where Wilk lived, neighbors said they remembered the construction worker as a quiet man.
Cecilia Rubin, who used to be Wilk's next-door neighbor but still lives on the same floor as his family, said that she and her husband talked to him regularly. They both saw him leave for work on Friday.
"He was like the nicest guy in the building. He was very quiet, all you would see was his smile," she said.
Neighbors confirmed that Wilk is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter, though his family could not be reached for comment. "They were very quiet people, but they would have Polish parties at Christmas—I would hear them singing," Rubin said.
"I want to cry," said Lida Nazarian, who lives a few doors down from Wilk's family. "A very nice neighbor, very nice person."
Neighbor Felix Santana described Wilk as "a real gentleman."
He said, "He was always wearing his Bovis construction hat."
sarah.darville@columbiaspectator.com
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