Photo courtesy of Millennium Partners
Massachusetts’ biggest construction company is halting all of its work in Boston through Friday following a partial building collapse in South Boston that injured three workers.
Suffolk issued a statement today that the company would immediately begin a voluntary “safety stand down” including a review of all safety procedures.
The decision affects some of the city’s largest developments, including the $1.3 billion Winthrop Center skyscraper and demolition at the L Street Station property in South Boston, which was halted by Wednesday’s collapse of a concrete walkway.
One worker suffered life-threatening injuries, prompting Mayor Michelle Wu to voice her anger at the second major construction accident this spring.
Suffolk is demolishing most of the buildings at the former Boston Edison plant at 776 Summer St. to make way for a 1.7 million-square-foot mixed use development by Hilco Redevelopment Partners and Redgate.
Firefighters responded to reports of people trapped shortly before 2 p.m. A large cantilevered walkway collapsed and landed on one victim’s legs, causing serious injuries.
The $30 million demolition permit for the South Boston project was issued on Dec. 3.
On Thursday and Friday, Suffolk will review safety procedures at all job sites in the city, and those that require further assessment will remain closed, according to the announcement.
A spokesperson for Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden confirmed the DA’s office was investigating the incident.
“We have found no immediate evidence of overt criminality in the Edison building collapse, in other words, no evidence of deliberate attempts at destruction. Our investigation remains open, and our future actions, if any, will be guided by the primary investigation being led by OSHA,” a statement issued by Hayden’s office said.
A worker for subcontractor JDC Demolition of Boston was killed in March when a portion of the Government Center garage collapsed during demolition work as part of the Bulfinch Crossing mixed-use redevelopment.
