SANTA ROSA BEACH — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has completed their investigation into the April death of a construction worker at Topsail Apartments on Dune Lake Circle.
No one was cited in the April 10 death of 54-year-old Moises Orella Ramos of Atlanta. Orella was run over by a front-end loader while working construction at the apartment complex.
“We did not find any fault with the operator,” said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA’s area director in Jacksonville. “We did cite the company, H&T Contractors for not having a seat belt in the front-end loader.”
Freeport resident Iran C. Covarrubias, who was 25 at the time, was operating a 2005 John Deere L22 Loader at the site when Orella and two other men walked in front of him.
The two men were able to get out of the way, but Orella was struck and run over by the loader, according to the Florida Highway Patrol press release.
Orella was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sturtecky said the investigation into the fatality was completed Sept. 5.
H & T Contractors was issued the seat belt citation the following day and has until Oct. 2 to contest. At that time, the case will be closed.
Crews have been working on the $23 million apartment complex since October 2012. The apartments are being built by Dominion Partners of Birmingham, Ala.
“Struck by a vehicle continues to be the leading cause of deaths at construction sites,” Sturtecky said. “We ask that everyone be aware of their surroundings.”
