Crane Operators Cited, Fined

The state Department of Labor and Industries has cited and fined three companies more than $6,000 for workplace violations found in the wake of a fatal crane accident at the Kingdome last summer.

Sicklesteel Cranes of South Puget Sound, of Kent, Sunnen Crane Service, of Tacoma, and Whatcom-Skagit Crane Service, of Bellingham, were involved in renovation work on the Kingdome ceiling.

On Thursday, Labor and Industries announced that those companies have been cited for a total of 14 “serious” violations of safety and health regulations. A “serious” violation is one in which there is a reasonable possibility that serious injury or death could result from the hazard.

Don Ryan, president of Whatcom-Skagit Crane, said his company would appeal the fine. He said a majority of the violations were “a very nitpicking interpretation of the rules.

Sunnen Cranes was fined $1,670.

Whatcom-Skagit Cranes was fined $2,730.

The contractors have 15 working days to appeal.

Last month, three other Seattle contractors - Pacific Components Homes Inc., Long Painting Co. and Ness Crane Services - were fined more than $39,000 for health and safety violations found after the Aug. 17 accident in which two workers were killed. Those three have appealed their citations to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals.

William Louth, 37, of Portland, Ore., and Jorge Turincio, 39, of San Diego, were killed in the Aug. 17 accident.