An 85-foot drilling rig working on the site of Citadel’s planned global headquarters in Miami fell on Brickell Bay Drive on Sept. 14, hitting vehicles and a construction container, sending three workers and a motorcyclist to hospitals.
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into the incident, agency spokeswoman Erika Ruthman confirmed to ENR on Sept. 15. The agency declined to provide additional information while the investigation is ongoing.
Miami Fire Rescue said the rig fell near SE 12th Street and Brickell Bay Drive, struck three vehicles and crushed a construction container where two workers were trapped. Technical rescue teams freed the workers, while firefighters also extinguished a vehicle fire.
All 18 workers at the scene were accounted for, Miami Fire Rescue Chief Robert Hevia told reporters. Three workers, including the 47-year-old rig operator and two workers, ages 27 and 29, were taken to Ryder Trauma Center. One motorcyclist was taken to HCA Florida Mercy Hospital. Officials described the injuries as minor.
Miami-Dade County permit records reviewed by ENR identify Keller North America Inc. as the contractor for ground improvement work at 1201 Brickell Bay Drive. The permit was issued on January 16 and remained active at the time of the incident. Keller did not immediately respond to ENR’s request for information about whether he owned or operated the rig or employed the injured workers.
Firefighters have described the equipment as a drilling rig used in ground improvement work, rather than a conventional construction crane. Local authorities initially referred to the incident as a crane collapse.
The rendering shows Citadel’s planned global headquarters along Miami’s Brickell waterfront, where foundation and ground improvement work is underway.
Rendering courtesy Ciutadella
Related Cos., which is developing the project with Citadel, said in a statement it was working with city and county officials to secure the site and investigate the incident.
Miami-Dade building officials also responded to the scene. The county’s online land improvement permit registration does not include inspection dates, dispositions, or inspection comments.
The accident occurred during early construction work on Citadel’s planned headquarters at 1201 Brickell Bay Drive. ENR previously reported that the Foster + Partners-designed tower had received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to rise to 1,049 feet and that the project would include approximately 1.7 million square feet of space. Citadel is developing the property with Related Cos.
Citadel describes the project as its future global headquarters in Miami’s Brickell financial district. The company’s current project materials call for about 1.2 million square feet of office and tenant space, along with a luxury hotel, restaurants and other amenities.
