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BOSTON —D & J Ironworks failed to follow safety precautions, which officials said led to a massive fire in the Back Bay that killed two firefighters in March. That’s the finding of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Watch the report | Photos: Memorial for firefighters killed in Back bay blaze
The nine-alarm fire on March 26 started because the Malden-based welding company allowed its employees to install railings using arc welding equipment during high wind conditions, the investigation showed.
Fire officials said sparks from the welding at 296 Beacon St. ignited clapboards on an adjacent shed at 298 Beacon St., which led to the fire. Fire Lt. Ed Walsh and firefighter Michael Kennedy were killed.
“OSHA found that the company lacked an effective fire prevention and protection program, failed to train its employees in fire safety, did not have a fire watch present and did not move the railing to another location where the welding could be performed safely,” said Brenda Gordon, OSHA’s area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. “This company’s failure to implement these required, common-sense safeguards put its own employees at risk and resulted in a needless, tragic fire.”
The investigation also showed that D & J Ironworks failed to protect its employees against respiratory and chemical hazards associated with welding, cutting, drilling and painting operations.
OSHA cited D & J Ironworks for 10 serious violations of workplace safety standards.
D & J Ironworks, which faces $58,000 in fines, has 15 days from the time it receives its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
After OSHA released its findings in connection with the fire, Kennedy’s mother, Kathy Crosby-Bell, released a statement saying she was looking forward to the results of the complete investigation.
“This morning I learned the outcome of OSHA’s investigation that caused the tragic fire on March 26 and loss of my son, Firefighter Michael Kennedy,” she said in a statement. “This is only one piece of the ongoing investigation and I look forward to the results of the complete investigation from the District Attorney’s office. Ultimately, I hope this reminds all Bostonians of the critical need to ensure the safety of our firefighters who put their lives on the line for each one of us every day.”
D & J Ironworks didn’t respond to requests from NewsCenter 5 for information, but their attorney said the OSHA report is without support both legally and factually. He said, construction tradesmen, especially welders, should take workplace safety into consideration as to avoid tragic accidents.
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