ISHN logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ISHN logo
  • NEWS
    • Today's News
    • Global Safety News
    • Government Regulations
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product Innovations
    • Featured Products
  • TOPICS
    • Environmental Health and Safety
    • Facility Safety
    • Workplace Health
    • Occupational Safety
    • PPE
    • More Topics
  • CONSTRUCTION
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • COLUMNS
    • Best Practices
    • Dave Johnson: What’s going on
    • Editorial Comments
    • Leading Safety
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • ISHN Podcast
    • Videos
    • Cold Stress Education Quiz
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • MORE
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Newsletters
    • Convention Companion
    • Polls
    • Events
    • ISHN Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archived Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • JOIN TODAY!
Occupational Safety

'Willful' violations led to fatal Hard Rock collapse in New Orleans, OSHA says

OSHA's Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations
April 9, 2020

OSHA has issued violations against 11 of the contractors working on New Orleans' Hard Rock Hotel when it collapsed in October 2019.

The documents include accusations of "willful" and "serious" violations by Heaslip Engineering for various problems with the design of the upper floors of the building, which collapsed five months ago killing two workers. An attorney for the firm has denied any wrong-doing

OSHA released a 125-page on Friday, April 3 detailing the alleged failure of 11 different companies to ensure the health and safety of workers on the job site. That list includes steel contractor Suncoast Projects, which was also accused of actions that could have harmed the structural integrity of the project.

Some of the most alarming findings by the federal agency could be a major factor in why the building collapsed.

OSHA handed down two violations to Heaslip Engineering after their November inspection.

The investigation found the engineering and design of the upper floors of the Hard Rock were unsafe.

According to citation documents, floor beams on the 16th level were not strong enough for the weight they were supporting. And cantilevers, or vertical beams, on the 17th and 18th floors were spaced too far apart and bearing too much weight.

Heaslip Engineering is denying the allegations.

In a statement, an attorney representing the firm wrote:

"Heaslip Engineering has an impeccable record and reputation for providing quality engineering services on hundreds of projects over two decades. Our firm has reviewed the citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and adamantly disputes the findings. We believe OSHA's conclusions are unwarranted, not supported by the facts and beyond the jurisdiction of OSHA's statutory authority. Heaslip unequivocally denies any 'willful' or 'serious' wrongdoing, and will vigorously contest all of the citations through the procedures required by OSHA."

Workers who barely survived the Oct. 12 collapse said they had voiced concerns about safety inside the building for weeks leading up to the collapse, reported WWL-TV in New Orleans.

KEYWORDS: citations OSHA violations

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • forklift safety

    Exploring the latest technologies in forklift safety

    With more staff and more stock in warehousing now more...
    Workplace Training Strategies
    By: Josh Cramer
  • welding

    All about welder’s flash or arc eye

    A flash burn is a painful inflammation of the cornea,...
    Environmental Health and Safety
  • dangerous jobs

    The 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S.

    On-the-job deaths have been rising — hitting the highest...
    Construction Industry Safety and Health
    By: Benita Mehta
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • ISHN Newsletter & Other Newsletter Alerts
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the ISHN audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of ISHN or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • man wearing the the Sundström SR200 Full Face Mask Respirator
    Sponsored byOHD

    5 Fit Testing Mistakes That Could Cost You

  • This image shows Magid AcuSpex polarized blue mirrored safety glasses.
    Sponsored byMagid Glove and Safety

    Construction PPE Guide: What Crews Need for Each Task

  • lone worker in confined space
    Sponsored byAlphasense Ltd.

    GET THE LEAD OUT of your Safety Oxygen Sensors!

Popular Stories

SpaceX 7 launch

OSHA Investigating Fatal Fall at SpaceX Starbase

dust explosion

Tennessee OSHA Issues Record $3.1M Fine After Deadly Explosion at Munitions Plant

Worker Impairment

How to Tell When a Co-Worker is Impaired? A Safety Pro’s Challenge

top 10 most dangerous jobs

Poll

Seasonal Readiness

With the federal heat stress prevention rule on the horizon, which area of your safety program needs the most attention?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Surviving an OSHA Audit A Management Guide, 2nd Edition

Surviving an OSHA Audit A Management Guide, 2nd Edition

See More Products

ISHN Podcasts

Related Articles

  • OSHA

    New Orleans sues Hard Rock Hotel developers over fatal collapse

    See More
  • OSHA to FAA: Fix hazards in New Orleans air traffic control tower (3/22)

    See More
  • ASSE to host Construction Safety Symposium in New Orleans this fall

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Top Ten Pitfalls in OSHA Recordkeeping and How to Avoid Them

  • 0470387408.jpg

    Preparing for OSHA s Voluntary Protection Programs: A Guide to Success

  • 1119906652.webp

    Alive and Well at the End of the Day: The Supervisor's Guide to Managing Safety in Operations, 2E

See More Products

Related Directories

  • New Pig

    The world leader in absorbent products, New Pig provides innovative products to help maintain cleaner, safer, more productive work environments.
×

Become a Leader in Safety Culture

Build your knowledge with ISHN, covering key safety, health and industrial hygiene news, products, and trends.

JOIN TODAY
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Manufacturing Division
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing