Sea Isle Balcony Collapse Investigation Continues

SEA ISLE CITY – An engineering firm investigating the balcony collapse on the Spinnaker Condominium’s South Tower that caused the death of a construction worker has called for more investigation before balconies are considered safe for use.
The Press of Atlantic City cited a report from Parallel Architectural Group, of Long Branch, which determined that the South Tower “did not suffer significant structural damage due to the collapse” but called for a more thorough investigation of the units on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors on the tower’s north side. 
The report noted that while the balconies below the collapsed area were structurally intact, the area did show signs of deterioration and should be repaired. 
According to The Press article, the condominium association contracted with Kustera, Bernard & Fox Engineering Inc., for the inspection, which was performed by Robert J. Bernard. 
The engineering report also says other areas were not adversely impacted by the collapse but are showing signs of wear and deterioration.  
Bernard wrote in a report that the firm has no issues with the use of the ground area directly below the site of the collapse but left it up to the property owner whether to limit access to the area. 
The balconies below where the collapse happened are being supported by lumber, and access to them should not be granted, Bernard’s report said, according to The Press.
Construction worker Jose Pereira, 43, of Philadelphia, was working on the seventh-floor balcony just below unit 812 when the eighth-floor balcony collapsed Feb. 24. 
A 30-foot section fell onto the seventh-floor balcony where Pereira was working. Pereira’s body was recovered about seven hours later, and he was pronounced dead on the scene. Two other workers were reported to have been injured as a result of the collapse.
Since then, the balconies have been off-limits to residents. As a result of Pereira’s death, his employer, Ferguson Contracting Inc., of Yardley, Pennsylvania, has been the subject of an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as being cited for working without permits. 
An order to terminate the work was issued three days after the accident, per The Press. The city construction official issued a stop-work order the day of the collapse. City officials indicated it was done as a precaution.
Sea Isle City spokesperson Kathleen Custer told The Press it wasn’t clear whether the company was in violation before the collapse. She said the city was still awaiting an engineer’s report. OSHA continues to investigate the matter.