by ANDY GELLER
The feds yesterday fined two contractors more than $400,000 for safety hazards at the former Deutsche Bank tower, where two firefighters died last August.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Bovis Lend Lease and John Galt Corp. for 44 safety and health violations at the building, which was irreparably damaged on 9/11.
Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia were killed on Aug. 18, when a blaze broke out at the tower.
The contractors, which were hired to clean the building of toxic debris and take it down, were charged with failing to inspect a standpipe that was broken on the day of the fire, blocking emergency stairwells with construction materials, and allowing smoking in work areas.
They were fined a total of $464,500.
Bovis, which fired Galt, said it would contest the fines. Galt had no immediate comment.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has opened a criminal investigation into the blaze.
With AP
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