OSHA Investigates Fatal Building Collapse

HOUSTON -- Construction crews who had been building new student dormitories on the campus of Rice University had Friday off, one day after a wall collapsed and killed a worker, KPRC Local 2 reported.

---

More Coverage: On the Beat With Mary Benton Blog

---

Investigators from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration took control of the job site on Sunset Boulevard near Rice University. They are trying to determine why a wall collapsed Thursday.

Juan Romero, 41, of Stafford, was killed and seven other workers were injured.

Romero's relatives said he was a spiritual man who left behind a wife and three young daughters in Honduras.

"When I got the call, I thought it was a bad joke," said Romero's brother, Wilmer.

Romero's brother-in-law, Roberto, was working on the same site. He said that within seconds, it became very windy and the rain began pouring.

"Before we knew it, the walls started falling on top of us," he said. "The wind threw me down to the first floor and I couldn't get to Juan."

Linbeck Group is the general contractor on the project. A subcontractor, Lucia Inc., of Houston, employed Romero and the injured workers.

"Our hearts go out to the families and everyone affected by this incident," said John Barnes with Linbeck Group.

Lucia has not commented on the incident, but OSHA records showed there have been at least two other accident on their work sites.

In 2007, Lucia was investigated for an accidental fall at a job site in Fort Worth and fined $2,400. In 2004, the company was cited for a safety violation at a job site in Pearland.

"Safety is the top priority of our company," Barnes said. "We are currently conducting an investigation to determine the cause of this incident."

OSHA said its investigation would focus on several areas, including work site safety, worker training, maintenance and equipment. The investigation could take up to six months to complete.