The June, 2013 collapse of a steel structure at Texas A&M that was intended to serve as the university’s equestrian shelter injured four workers and earned OSHA citations for two Houston-based construction companies.

OSHA cited Gamma Construction Co. and Ramco Erectors Inc. for eight serious violations for failing to maintain the structural stability of the erection of a steel structure intended to serve the Texas A&M University equestrian shelter. The inspection began the day the building collapsed.

Ramco Erectors was cited for seven serious violations, with a penalty of $40,500, for failing to ensure that the steel structure was erected to maintain its structural stability; ensure fall protection components and wire rope clips used for rigging were of the drop-forged steel type; train workers on hazard recognition; provide a site-specific erection plan; inspect rigging components; and remove defective lifting hooks.

Gamma Construction, the project's general contractor, was cited for one serious violation, with a penalty of $6,300, for failing to ensure the steel structure was erected to maintain structural stability.

"Employers erecting steel structures must follow proper procedures for bracing and ensure an erection sequence that maintains the building's stability," said Casey Perkins, OSHA's area director in Austin.

Gamma Construction employs about 150 workers nationwide, including 30 at the College Station work site. Ramco Erectors employs about 200 workers nationwide, with 19 at the building that collapsed, including the four who were injured.