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Jun. 17, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Worker dies on Strip

Carpenter killed in fall at Boyd's Echelon project

By ARNOLD KNIGHTLY and HOWARD STUTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL

The Echelon Las Vegas Project was shut down on Monday after a carpenter fell to his death at the site.
Photo by Marlene Karas/Review-Journal



The Safety policies for the Echelon Las Vegas Project are posted at the construction site entrance on Industrial Blvd. next to the Circus Circus Casino. A carpenter fell to his death at the site on Monday. The site was shut down for workers but vehicles with business at the project kept showing up at the gate.
Photo by Marlene Karas/Review-Journal

The death toll at Strip construction sites continued to rise Monday, this time at Boyd Gaming Corp.'s Echelon project site with the death of a 49-year-old carpenter who fell about 15 feet and suffered fatal head injuries after landing on his head.

The construction worker's death was the first one at the $4.8 billion Echelon site, but it was the 12th construction-related death to have occurred at Strip construction sites in the past 18 months.

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    • The carpenter was identified by sources as Lyndall Bates, 49, of Tempe, Ariz. They said Bates was taking down scaffolding in the basement level of the Echelon tower when the accident occurred. A fire official said Bates died at the scene.

    Bates was a member of Carpenters Union 1780, which could not be reached for comment.

    All work at the Echelon site was suspended after the early morning Monday accident, according to a statement released through Boyd Gaming.

    "Marnell, Tishman and Boyd Gaming are cooperating fully with (Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and all other appropriate agencies to determine the cause of this morning's accident," according to the statement.

    Tishman Construction is the construction manager for Echelon and Marnell Corrao Associates is the concrete prime contractor. The carpenter was working for Marnell Corrao.

    A spokeswoman for the Nevada Department of Business and Industry said the state OSHA has already started an investigation of the accident, but the office does not comment on open investigations.

    News of the latest Strip construction fatality spread quickly to other construction sites Monday morning, according to construction workers at MGM Mirage's $9.2 billion CityCenter site, where six workers have died in the past 16 months, and the $3.9 billion Cosmopolitan site, where two workers have been killed.

    Workers Monday afternoon were reluctant to discuss the latest fatality or give their names for publication, citing concerns about retribution from their bosses and a directive from union leadership. Several of the workers declined to place blame on the individuals, contractors or the unions for the string of fatalities.

    The Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council, however, forced a one-day walkout at the CityCenter and Cosmopolitan projects earlier this month because of concerns that Perini Building Co., the general contractor at the two work sites, was not adequately addressing the council's safety concerns.

    The union workers returned to work the next day after Perini agreed to all of the council's demands, including allowing union and safety officials on site at all times and instituting safety training for all workers.

    The Nevada Occupational and Safety Administration, with assistance from the federal OSHA, is conducting a safety review of the two sites.

    In the joint statement with Tishman Construction and Marnell Corrao Associates, Boyd Gaming said the priority at Echelon is to ensure a safe construction site.

    However, one worker wearing an Ironworkers Local 433 shirt said construction workers are feeling pressure to meet construction deadlines at the Strip project sites.

    "They push us hard to meet deadlines," the worker said.

    Boyd is building the five-hotel resort and casino complex on 87 acres, much of which once housed the Stardust.

    Formal ground breaking took place a year ago.

    In addition to the 2,300-room Hotel Echelon, the site includes a 650-room all suite hotel and three boutique hotels operated by Shangri-La, Mondrian and Delano. The hotels will be connected to 140,000-square-foot casino, 300,000 square feet of retail, two theaters, more than 30 restaurants and 750,000 square feet of meeting space.

    Echelon is expected to open in 2010.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    John wrote on June 20, 2008 12:02 PM: If Perini Building Co. that was mentioned as an aside in this article is the same one that is run by the family in Maryland, then I am not surprised by the number of fatalities at the City Center job site.

    I thought they just had a regional reputation, guess they are going for a national one, now!

    In most situations, there is plenty of blame to go around -- some companies don't push safety, some workers do not want to be hindered by safety equipment and procedures (ie, harness and lanyard). BUT, the employer has the ultimate responsibility for jobsite or workplace safety. At 6 fatalities, someone needs to be hauled to criminal court.

    Accidents are unplanned events that are a symptom of a failure in the management system. The only effective way to prevent them is by planning and by system reviews, all taking place within a workplace culture that is positive for safety and that fosters a questioning mind among all levels of workers.

    Just my opinion, of course.


    abe s. wrote on June 17, 2008 08:19 PM: Hi Harris!
    HMMM- my comments were about-let's see-unions,carpenters,safety. Hmmm-seems like construction talk to me. Good argument,brother! Now head over to your nearest Terribles gas station, and throw some money in the poker machine. Then go get ready to park cars at one of the strip casinos. I'm sure that about sums up your pathetic life. A Typical moron that misses the point yet again!!


    Safety Expert wrote on June 17, 2008 08:07 PM: This was a tragedy much like the tragedies that have occured at Cosmo and CityCenter. All of these people would still be around if they had plugged in their brains and used a little common sense and standard safety practices. Don't blame it on the Contractors, as these people are ALL temporary hires from the local unions. The safety procedures are put in to place, and when they are disregarded, people get injured, and some die. It's called Employee Negligence, and because of this intentional employee negligence, someone lost a husband, a father, a co-worker and a friend. Plug your brains in people, and TIE OFF !! If not for yourselves.... do it for your loved ones !!!


    Harris wrote on June 17, 2008 07:16 PM: Abe S, if you work construction? do not comment on anything that does not pertain too construction, and i will not either. Freedom of Speech and change Abe.


    Bruce Daniels wrote on June 17, 2008 06:32 PM: First let me offer my sympathy
    to the family & friends of my brother carpenters & fellow construction workers. I know it's hard not to push yourself to get the job done, but lets be smart,safe & efficient. Remember every man is responsible for his own safety.

    God Bless,

    Brother Bruce Daniels Local 333








    abe s. wrote on June 17, 2008 06:26 PM: FYI- The Carpenters Union is not affiliated or part of in any way-"The Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council"


    abe s. wrote on June 17, 2008 06:12 PM: Attention ALL idiots:
    If you don't know the construction business-DON'T comment on it! A man died,and you just want to point the finger at someone? Are you kidding me? Will you try and contact this man's family and offer help-or better yet offer financial assistance? Of course not! I already have and will continue to! Also-FYI for those idiots that are now embarrassed after reading my post-All the unions in Las Vegas offer free safety classes to its members as well as all of their members in state sponsored apprenticeship programs. I know it's a stretch for some- but let's think for a change before speaking!


    Julia wrote on June 17, 2008 03:43 PM: What has happened with our unions deleting safety from there training???
    I guess they sacrificed safety due to OASHA and others. When they send a craftsman to a job does he know safety anymore????


    Fred wrote on June 17, 2008 02:20 PM: If 12 firemen or police officers were to die in the past 18 months I do think that public opion would be very different.


    KDH wrote on June 17, 2008 12:55 PM: Im just shocked that what has happen...my uncle was a great father an wonderful husband tht anybody could be...i miss my uncle very much an love him so much always an 4ever!!!!!


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