Blue Point man pleads guilty to obstructing OSHA probe into worker's 2018 death
Richard Zagger pleaded guilty to obstruction charges in connection with an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration into a worker's fatal fall in 2018. Credit: AP/Patrick Semansky
An East Patchogue construction company supervisor pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to charges he obstructed an investigation into a fatal construction accident in 2018.
Richard Zagger, of Blue Point, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and three charges of obstruction of official proceedings. Zagger faces up to 5years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on Oct. 16.
Anthony La Pinta, Zagger's Hauppauge-based defense attorney, did not respond to a request for comment.
On Dec. 8, 2018, Zagger, then a supervisor for Northridge Construction Corp., was overseeing construction of roof panels on a metal shed at the company's East Patchogue headquarters when a worker fell 12 feet from the improperly secured shed and died after suffering a serious head injury, officials said.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated the employee’s death and cited Northridge for “willful and serious violations” of workplace safety standards, fining the company nearly $225,000. The company contested the citations to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
OSHA inspectors determined the company failed to provide fall protection or protective helmets, did not ensure the structural integrity of the roof and misused a ladder.
Federal prosecutors alleged, during the investigation, Zagger made false statements and conspired with others to obstruct OSHA's inquiry.
Northridge previously pleaded guilty to violating a worker safety standard causing the death of one of its employees and to making two false statements that obstructed OSHA’s investigation.
The corporation faces a sentence of 5 years probation and a $500,000 fine when it is sentenced on Aug. 6.
Separately, the company agreed in March to pay $144,000 in federal fines and to “take substantive steps” to improve jobsite safety as part of a civil settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor.
All Northridge forepersons must receive 30 hours of OSHA training.
The company is also now required to give all field employees 10 hours of OSHA safety training, federal officials said.
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
One year since attack on Israel ... Suffolk looks to rebuild Stump Pond dam ... Mets drop game 2 ... Tracking Milton
One year since attack on Israel ... Suffolk looks to rebuild Stump Pond dam ... Mets drop game 2 ... Tracking Milton
