Companies Communicate After Construction Site Collapse

A floor at a casino construction site in downtown Cincinnati collapsed yesterday. No one was below, but workers on the floor rode it down until it hit bottom. One is seriously injured, 12 more have been treated. Both developer Rock Gaming and Messer Construction seem to be communicating well enough with the news media to deserve some study. They must have been prepared for a crisis like this one.

Rock Gaming's website (http://www.rockcompanies.com/gaming.htm), as of today, doesn't have mention of the accident. It should at least have a statement of condolences and next steps. The Detroit-based company should have been prepared because a similar accident happened at one of its sites in Cleveland. But at least a spokesperson was available to comment, which I don't see much of these days.

Steve Rosenthal of Rock Gaming spoke at a news conference after the collapse and described what happened. He added it was too early to determine a cause.

Messer Construction of Cincinnati has been much more forthcoming. Spokeswoman Jessie Folmar said the company was investigating. Messer provided a well-done seven-paragraph statement on its website rather quickly, which was picked up on and quoted by reporters. (http://messer.com/news/2012/01/27/statement_from_messer_construction_regarding_cincinnati_site_accident)  Issued under the name of Tom Keckeis, president and CEO, it contains the elements of a good crisis statement.

Paragraph 1 expresses sympathy for the injured employees and thanks emergency responders.

Paragraph 2 explains that OSHA and others inside and outside Messer and Rock Gaming are working together to identify a cause.

Paragraph 3 says, "Our top priority is to ensure everyone at our jobsites can return home safely to their families at the end of each day. We have stringent safety processes and protocols in place to ensure our jobsites remain safe and our structures secure."

I'm not a big advocate for Paragraph 4, but others may disagree with me. It describes the company's safety record and successful OSHA inspections. My feeling is that the company just sent 13 people to hospitals and an upper floor is now the bottom one. Talk about your safety record later. This is like me being taken off in handcuffs while boasting that I only beat my wife once.

Paragraphs 5, 6, and 7 say, "The work taking place today was in accordance with a project schedule that has been in place for several months, and which has had the full support of all contractors involved.

"We will share additional information as it becomes available.

"We are committed to completing this project safely."

I think it's nicely done and has the elements that such a statement should have.