OSHA complaint at Coyle Theater demo site unfounded

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
An anonymous complaint was filed over the demolition of the Coyle Theater —but the site and contractors in charge have been cleared of any wrongdoing.
During a Wednesday night meeting, Charleroi Councilwoman Jody Cheplic publicly addressed the complaint, which was recently made to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, concerning the proper disposal of hazardous materials that have been removed from the building and permits to do so.
Cheplic said the anonymous complaint made to OSHA brought inspectors to the site on Wednesday.
The borough also had their own representative from Building Inspector Underwriters on scene, too.
After a thorough inspection of the old movie theater which is in the midst of demolition, no citations were given and progress was able to continue.
Cheplic said both companies said the contractors and the building passed the inspection with “flying colors” and added the copies of all permits will soon be on display on the doors of the building – while they are still standing.
The Mon Valley Alliance, owner of the McKean Avenue property, announced plans for demolition in July.
A few weeks later Schaaf Excavating was granted a demolition permit from the borough.
Work began inside of the site with environmental remediation in August.
Fencing was installed last month and the roof of the former theater has since been totally dismantled.
Contractors will soon begin removing the walls of the building by hand before a crane is brought in to remove the Coyle sign from the front of the building.
The sign, which will be salvaged, is going to be stored in the basement of the borough municipal building until the MVA finds a way to re-purpose the sign.
After the sign is removed, heavy equipment will be brought in to demolish the rest of the structure before the lot is prepared for new development.
Mon Valley Alliance CEO Ben Brown, who said he was not aware of the complaint on Wednesday, said he is not surprised that there were no violations.
“Safety has been our number one priority since day one,” Brown said. “While I was unaware of the complaint, I am pleased but not surprised to hear that the contractors have been handling the site as safely and professionally as we knew they would.
“We said from the beginning the demolition would be handled slowly to ensure all proper safety protocol was being met and we are happy that is how this is progressing.”

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