Firms fined for walkway collapse will appeal

Construction worker Angel Chupin, 66, of Marietta, died when the walkway collapsed. Eighteen other workers were injured.

An investigation by OSHA cited four of 16 scaffolding towers installed by Hardin Construction. According to OSHA, the towers -- five to 35-foot trusses designed to support the walkway -- were too far apart and not adequately anchored.

Hardin was issued one citation with a fine of $6,300.

On Wednesday, Hardin President Bill Pinto objected to OSHA's findings, saying some of them are not accurate. He declined to release specifics, saying his company is working on an appeal.

"We have an admirable local and national safety reputation," Pinto said. "It is inaccurate and it ought to be challenged."

Pinto said the towers were installed by Williams Erection Company, which was fined $15,050. OSHA issued four citations to Williams for towers that were too tall and not properly braced, which exposed employees to a fall of more than 30 feet.

Williams also did not build the towers to proper specification or inspect them adequately, OSHA said.

Williams' President Lee Bradley said his company, which has built such noted Atlanta structures as the I.B.M. Building, Phillips Arena and part of the Georgia World Congress Center, is reviewing the findings and plans to appeal.

Southeast Access LLC was issued one citation and fined $4,900 for not properly inspecting the towers. They could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Federal law allows the companies 15 days to appeal.

Construction on the new canopy walk will begin in late summer or fall with an expected opening of spring 2010, garden spokesman Danny Flanders said. At that time, the venue will unveil a private garden dedicated to the workers and their families.

-- Staff writer Larry Hartstein contributed to this report.