by Audrey Thomasson
WHITE STONE—A man working on the Robert O. Norris Jr. Memorial Bridge on Saturday, October 21, suffered non-life threatening injuries when he fell 30 feet from above the bridge deck onto a secondary painting platform.
The unidentified man was an employee of M & J Painting Company, the contractor painting the bridge. The incident occurred about 2 p.m., stopping traffic on the bridge for about an hour, according to Virginia Department of Transportation communications manager Kelly Hannon.
“The individual was taken to a local hospital first, but was flown to VCU Medical Center in Richmond where he was treated and has since been released,” Hannon said on Monday.
“Fall protection gear is required to be worn by individuals painting the bridge” she said. However, Hannon could not say whether the employee was in compliance. “We are still investigating the incident.”
While VDOT offered a financial incentive to complete the painting project by January 2018, the contractor is not expected to finish until next June, which is in accordance with the contract, said Hannon.