OSHA probes toppling of aerial lift in L. Merion

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating an industrial accident in which an aerial lift fell, injuring a worker on a construction site in Lower Merion.

Leni Fortson, spokeswoman for the administration, said investigators yesterday morning were at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, site of the 3:44 p.m. Monday accident. It occurred at Montgomery Avenue and School House Lane, where a new $100 million high school is under construction.

An aerial lift was being moved Monday in the area of the swimming pool, inside the new structure, Lower Merion Police Superintendent Michael J. McGrath said. The lift toppled, pinning underneath a worker identified by McGrath as Mark Rieser, 50, of Yardley.

Workers removed the lift from Rieser, who was in good condition yesterday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, hospital spokeswoman Kim Guenther said.

Under OSHA policy, Fortson said, she could say only that the investigation would focus on what caused the accident, and whether workplace conditions violated the federal health and safety act of 1970.

That act, Fortson said, sets safety standards for construction sites.

Lower Merion police alerted OSHA to the industrial accident Monday, McGrath said, and have no further interest in investigating, he said.

Lower Merion High is being rebuilt while classes are held in the old building, also on the campus. Douglas Young, spokesman for the school district, said no special limitations were placed on high school faculty or students because of the mishap.