Metro

MTA suspends No. 7 train line extension construction following deadly accident

Work was suspended today on the 7 train extension project as city, MTA and federal officials investigated the death of a worker killed in a crane collapse.

Michael Simermeyer, 30, of Burlington, N.J. was killed in the Tuesday evening accident, which sent shivers of fear through his fellow hard hats.

“We are in slow motion right now,” said James Marshall, 20, a mason. “It is really sad. He was working hard every day.”

MTA officials announced they plan safety inspections of all cranes being used on its big construction sites, including the Second Avenue Subway and the East Side Access projects.

Investigators from the NYPD, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Buildings Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were at the site today to try and determine why the Manitowoc 4100 crane collapsed around 7:30 pm.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said inspectors found violations of city Buildings Department rules — notably, a lack of proper guardrails and other safety devices to keep workers from falling into the site.

The contractors’ failure to install such systems “would put workers walking over the pit of the work in real danger,” Quinn said.

Although the project is financed by the city, there’s nothing the city can do about the problems because the site is controlled by the MTA, a state agency, Quinn said.

Simermeyer worked for a subcontractor, J & E Industries LLC. His co-workers recalled him as a hard worker who was a pleasure to be around.

“He works the night shift and his uncle works the day shift,” said George Monje, 52, a carpenter at the project.

“He was a good guy who worked very hard.”

Another co-worker recalled Simermeyer as a “jovial, friendly guy.

“Everybody is very sad right now,” said the 42 year-old, who declined to give his name.

The crane operator, Yonkers Contracting Co., says on its Web site that it has received an OSHA “Merit Award” for its safety initiatives.

OSHA’s Web site says the company was fined $3,000 for problems found by inspectors on a on an unspecified project in 2009.

The MTA expressed condolences to the family of the worker who was killed.

“We at the MTA grieve for this loss and vow to do everything we can to ensure that everyone working on projects to better the lives of all New Yorkers can do so as safely as possible,” read the statement.

A Manitowoc 4100 crane owned and operated by Yonkers Contracting Company Inc. collapsed and came crashing down on a worker below.

Michael Simermeyer, 30, of Burlington, N.J. was killed.

He worked for the subcontractor J & E Industries LLC.