Accidents on Initial Subway Segment Twice National Average

Workers building the first leg of the Metro Red Line subway suffered accidents twice as often as the national average for heavy construction projects, according to an independent audit made public Monday, but the rest of the county’s rail transit program is safer than most.

The Fluor Daniel Inc. audit confirmed whistle-blower claims that the Rail Construction Corp. has suffered serious safety problems on its biggest project so far--the Red Line subway between Union Station and MacArthur Park--despite assurances to the contrary by its safety consultants.

The audit was released at the Rail Construction Corp.’s monthly meeting, where the board also learned that it could cost $150 million to modify subway station construction to minimize disruption to Hollywood Boulevard. That is the estimated cost of building four stations in artificial caverns rather than in huge holes dug in the street.

Safety issues consumed most of the meeting, as management responded to whistle-blowers’ allegations that accidents were underreported, unsafe working conditions went uncorrected and complaints were unheeded.

“There appears to be some level of frustration among those people who feel concerned about safety and report unsafe conditions but nothing gets done,” said President Ed McSpedon.

But he said the unusually high accident rate occurred only on the initial Red Line segment, a job the Rail Construction Corp. inherited from the Southern California Rapid Transit District. McSpedon added that the accident rate--that is, the percentage of workers experiencing work-stopping injuries in an average year--dropped to 27.1% from 63.3% since the builder took over. The national average is 14.3%.

Although the Rail Construction Corp. has a better-than-average safety record on other major construction projects--the Metro Green Line and the second segment of the Red Line--the auditors urged the agency to improve the accuracy and timeliness of its safety records, greatly improve safety management and training, and establish a safety hot line for future whistle-blowers.

McSpedon said he had already recruited a “president’s safety committee” to implement some of the recommendations.

Whistle-blowers, however, were unconvinced.

“They really didn’t address the enforcement of the program by (the construction-management consultant),” said Bob D’Amato of Encino, a safety consultant who warned the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission months ago that its accident rate was twice the national average. “That is the heart of this problem. If you don’t push them to do their job, it’s all baloney.”

Subway Station Design

County transit officials agreed to consider building Red Line subway stations in Hollywood without tearing up Hollywood Boulevard. But the alternative, building the stations in huge artificial caverns mined under the street, could cost as much as $150 million.

+ Considered for “mined” stations

* Red Line Segment 1: 4.4 miles opens 1993

** Segment 2: 6.7 miles to Wilshire/Western opens 1996; to Hollywood/Vine opens 1998

*** Segment 3: 6.3 miles opens 2001