Three Pennsylvania-based construction companies face up to $193,400 in proposed fines for alleged safety violations at a field house project for Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA said the field house’s new concrete foundation had not cured properly and general contractor JDE Inc. of Souderton, Pa., “did not have the concrete tested for every pier.

Piers “were damaged and the employer continued to erect columns, trusses and purlins on top of the damaged concrete pier,” according to OSHA.

As a result, steel structure had to be taken down and a new foundation poured delaying the project by at least six months.

In separate citations, OSHA said:

ŸJDE allegedly failed to ensure that the concrete foundation was structurally sound and the structural steel was constantly stable during the erection process, as well as failing to protect against fall and cave-in hazards. It faces fines totaling $159,800.

ŸSuperior Fabric Structures of New Providence, Pa., allegedly failed to ensure the structural steel was constantly stable during the erection process and other alleged violations. It faces fines totalling $21,000.

ŸMasonry contractor Pat Campion, doing business as Campion Construction Co., of Glenside, Pa., allegedly failed to provide cave-in protection for employees in an excavation and other alleged violations. It faces fines totally $12,600.

None of the contractors could be reached for comment.

Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA New Hampshire area director, said Thursday that Campion Construction has set a meeting for today at 11 a.m.

Each employer has 15 days to comply with the findings, meet with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The charges were based on an inspection in November 2011 by OSHA’s Concord Area Office.

Kimball Union spokeswoman Julia Brennan said the private boarding and day school cooperated with OSHA and the state Fire Marshal’s Bureau of Building Safety and Construction.

Separately, Kimball Union terminated its contract with JDE Inc. and filed a lawsuit in January against the contractor.

“Having OSHA fine these contractors underscores ... the reason why we terminated them in a very clear way,” Brennan said.

The dispute delayed the expected project completion from March to the fall.

Kimball Union hired a new team to complete the project: UK Architects of Hanover, Summit Engineering of Portsmouth, PC Construction (formerly Pizzagalli Construction) of South Burlington, Vt., and NET Sports Group of South Portland, Maine (turf supplier.)

The project should be completed by the fall, according to the new architect.

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Denis Paiste may be reached at dpaiste@unionleader.com.