D&J Ironworks cited for inadequate workplace safeguards after fatal Back Bay fire

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A Malden welding company was cited for inadequate workplace safeguards after the fatal Back Bay fire in March.

D & J Ironworks was cited for failing to follow safety precautions, which officials say led to a fire that killed two. According to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the fire at 298 Beacon St. started because the welding company allowed its employees to install railings next door using arc welding equipment on a windy day. The sparks from welding at 296 Beacon St. ignited clapboards on an adjacent shed at 298 Beacon St., igniting the blaze.

"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," Brenda Gordon, an area director for OSHA, said in a recent release. "This company's failure to implement these required, common-sense safeguards put its own employees at risk and resulted in a needless, tragic fire."

Officials say Guiseppe Falcone and Daniele Falcone, doing business as D&J Ironworks, did not protect employees from respiratory and chemical hazards that go along with welding, cutting, drilling and painting operations. The company also failed to evaluate workers' medical fitness to see if they were able to wear respirators, maintain safety data sheets on hazardous chemicals and more.

D & J Ironworks was cited by OSHA for 10 violations of workplace safety standards. All of the violations were considered serious, meaning that there is a high chance that death or serious injury could have been a result of the hazard. The company is looking at about $58,000 in fines and they have 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference, or contest the findings.

Kathy Crosby-Bell, mother of one of the firefighters who lost his life during the blaze, said, "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. 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."

Cox Media Group