Contractors Faulted in Accident that Blinded Man in Connecticut

Two companies working on a construction project in New Haven, Connecticut have been fined for a safety violation after a worker was blinded when a rebar cage fell on him.

Walsh Construction Co. of Salem, Mass., and Advance Steel Reinforcing Co. of Bridgeport, Conn. were fined $5,000 each.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the rebar used to reinforce a concrete pier was not properly secured and fell over, pinning Fernando Fernandez of West Haven. His son, Fernando Fernandez Jr., said his father also suffered a broken leg, punctured lung and a brain injury.

Hank Botterman, Walsh’s corporate safety director, said the company believes it should not be cited.

A telephone message left Thursday with Advance was not immediately returned.