News Digest 5-30-2019

Criminal probe into South Dakota roof collapse now in second year

Federal investigators say they need more time to determine whether to bring criminal charges against companies involved with the December 2016 collapse of a former lounge in downtown Sioux Falls. The U.S. Attorney’s criminal investigation includes a review of more than 150 gigabytes of data related to the death of a construction worker who was killed when a load-bearing wall was removed. Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, S.D.)

Sister of man ‘buried alive’ want lawsuit restarted

The sister of a 33-year-old man, who was killed in 2016 when a nearly 11-foot trench collapsed while he was trying to install a sewer pipe at a residential construction site, is seeking to reactivate the lawsuit, which had been on hold due to bankruptcy proceedings against the defendants, the house’s developer, contractor and a subcontractor. Dayton Daily News

New York: Farmworkers’ protection bill faces pushback

Some Seneca County officials are critical of a bill that would grant collective bargaining rights, workers’ compensation, and unemployment benefits to farmworkers in New York. Opponents say it adds more cost and burden to farms, citing highly-changeable farm schedules, low commodity prices, and other factors. Ithaca.com

Crane crashes into inn on Massachusetts cape

A crane crashed into a Falmouth, Massachusetts inn yesterday. Fed-OSHA is investigating. According to a responding police officer, “The only thing that stopped the crane was the building.” Falmouth Enterprise

Fed-OSHA renews alliance with state of Iowa, electrical workers union

Fed-OSHA has renewed an alliance with the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Division of Labor Services and an electrical workers union that will promote training and education programs intended to prevent worker exposure to electrical transmission and distribution equipment hazards such as electrocution, fires and explosions, confined spaces, and falls. EC&M