Gillian’s Wonder Pier in May 2022. Gilamco and the contractor were cited
for the fatal accident. (Craig D. Schenck/Sentinel)
Gilamco, contractor cited after welder fell while working on Ferris wheel in 2022
OCEAN CITY — Following the death of a welder working at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier on the Boardwalk in May 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Gilamco Inc. $10,151 and the contractor’s company $7,831.80.
The penalties were levied Nov. 2, 2022, according to reports provided by OSHA, part of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Robert W. Sanger, 62, of Pittsgrove, an employee of Cargo Tech International of Swedesboro, was a welder working on the Ferris wheel at Wonderland’s Pier when he fell from a large blue lift May 2 and was later pronounced dead at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point.
Ocean City Fire Department EMTs responded to the scene at 10:32 a.m. that day.
“We are saddened to report that an employee of a subcontractor working on a lift at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier suffered a fatal injury Monday morning,” Gillian wrote in a statement issued at the time.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
“We are cooperating with all appropriate authorities to thoroughly investigate the cause of this tragic accident,” Gillian wrote. “As we get more information we will provide it.”
In the notice of penalty issued to Gilamco, owner of the amusement park, the violation was a listed as “serious” and stated, “The employer did not ensure that each walking-working surface can support the maximum intended load for that surface.”
“The walking-working surface where employees worked and traveled did not support the maximum intended load placed on it,” the report continued. “The Genie S-85 self-propelled telescoping boom lift, which was used during the repair of the Ferris wheel, partially fell through the walking-working surface.”
When a Sentinel reporter took a photograph at the scene that morning, it showed the boom lift at an awkward angle after one of its wheels apparently broke through the surface.
The location was 600 Boardwalk.
Gillian had no new comment when contacted by the Sentinel this week.
Cargo Tech International was fined for the same “serious” violation regarding the working surface.
In addition, it was fined for failing to have the welder wear a safety harness.
“A personal fall arrest system or travel restraint system that meets the requirement in Subpart I of this part shall be worn and attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift. … Worker was exposed to fall hazards as he was moving a Genie S-85 self-propelled telescoping boom lift to reposition the machine without being tied off.”
Each penalty assessed to Cargo Tech was for $4,351 for a total of $8,702.
Joanna P. Hawkins, deputy regional director of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Public Affairs, reported that Cargo Tech did not contest the citations and paid the revised penalty of $7,831.80 “and provided the corrective action.”
Hawkins said Gilamco Inc. continues to contest the citations.
STORY by DAVID NAHAN, PHOTO BY CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff