Worker injured after fall at Washington Crown Center
A man working on redevelopment of Washington Crown Center mall was flown to Pittsburgh Monday afternoon after falling through the roof.
David Bane, chief of the North Franklin Township Fire Company, said crews were called to the mall at 1500 W. Chestnut St. at about 4 p.m. Monday. He said the accident occurred near the back side of the former Bon-Ton store.
“They were working on the roof … Part of the roof was open, and somebody just stepped back open to where the roof was already removed, and he fell about 40 to 50 feet onto the concrete, on the inside of the store,” Bane said.
The Bon-Ton is part of the mall that is currently being demolished while new owners PREP Funds and Industry Realty Group LLC redevelop the property into Franklin Crossroads Park, which will include retail and a business park.
According to Chris Salata, partner with PREP Funds, the worker was an employee of the roofing contractor working on the project. North Franklin Township Supervisor Bob Sabot identified the roofing company as Design-Pro Roofing, based in Naples, Fla.
The demolition portion of the project is being handled by Fairchance Construction, based in Fairchance.
“The young man sustained a few broken bones, but was otherwise very fortunate,” Salata said.
According to Bane, first responders arrived within a minute of receiving the call. The worker, who has not been identified, was conscious and alert while he received treatment prior to being flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
“He was talking to us the whole time,” Bane said.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident.
“From what we saw, there was a safety harness he had on, but it was not hooked to a safety line or a tether,” Bane said.