One of the functions of the OSHA office of construction and Engineering headquartered in Washington, D.c., is to provide technical assistance to State government agencies. Accordingly, on January 3, 1990, a team of engineers from the Office’ of Construction and Engineering met with CalosHA staff in California to begin this work. The assistance provided by OSHA was limited to determining the cause of the accident. Evaluation of compliance with safety regulations and enforcement actions relating to the accident were the sole responsibility of calosHA. 1.2 OSHA Investigation The OSHA investigation included a detailed inspection of the collapsed structure, a review of eyewitness accounts of the collapse, laboratory tests to determine the mechanical properties of the structure and computer analyses of the crane structure. The work was carried out in cooperation with Cal0SHA. Eyewitness interviews obtained by CalOSHA immediately following the accident were provided to the OSHA investigating team. Inspection of the collapsed structure and collection of relevant data were done jointly. Both groups planned the laboratory testing program. The laboratory tests were conducted by a private firm under contract to alOSHA. “Throughout the course of the investigation, both groups worked together sharing information and jointly developing perspectives on the various aspects of the accident and the cause. 13 Organization of the Report This report is organized in nine Chapters and Appendices: chapter 2 describes the procedures followed by OSHA in conducting the investigation. Chapter 3 describes the tover crane structure, the brakes and the climbing operation used to raise the crane. Chapter 4 provides background information on the crane prior to the collapse and activities underway at the time of the collapse. Eyewitness accounts of the collapse are reviewed. Detailed observations of the collapsed structure and performance of the components of the structure are also presented. Chapter 5 describes the results of the laboratory tests conducted to determine the material properties and evaluate the behavior of the structural components of the tower including the slewing brakes.Chapter 6 presents the results of analytical studies conducted to evaluate the response of the tower and climbing section to a variety of loading conditions. Forces and stresses in the structural members and the forces on the rollers of the climbing section were determined. Failure mechanisms and associated loading conditions were also determined. Chapter 7 presents the results of the investigation. The information obtained in the investigation is used to identify the cause of the failure. Chapter 8 presents the conclusions reached in the OSHA investigation. Chapter 9 lists the references cited in the text. ‘The Appendixes include a description of the climbing procedure and the calculations of the limit states for the structural components.‘TOWER SECTION No. 16 CLIMBING SECTION #293 Fr. 1 THRU 15 TIE-IN To BUILDING TOWER SECTION NO. TOWER _CRAN} (GURATI OR_TO COLLAPSE FIGURE 1.1.2