By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WASHINGTON TWP. - Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are trying to determine what caused the roof to collapse on a church under construction.

OSHA investigators on Monday were at the Fellowship of Praise Church of God site at U.S. 22/Ohio 3 and Strout Road, where the roof gave way Friday afternoon. Four men were injured in the collapse.

They are questioning witnesses and workers about site conditions. The investigation could take a couple of weeks, said Area Director Richard Gilgrist.

"Our first course of business is to find out what caused the accident," Gilgrist said. "Once that's been determined, we look to see if there's been any violations."

The four injured workers from subcontractor E.W. Construction of Waynesville were connecting trusses when the roof collapsed. Some have broken bones and stitches, but none has life-threatening injuries. E.W. Construction officials have declined comment.

Warren County building officials have shut down work on the church during the investigation. They have questions about the bracing that was used while workers built the roof, and are contacting the manufacturer to see what the recommendations are, Warren County Chief Building Official Jerry Spurling said Monday.

Spurling said it is also possible that there were some bad trusses that weakened the roof. OSHA is also investigating whether wind could have been a factor, Gilgrist said.

"Once they start going, it's a domino effect," Spurling said.

It could be three weeks before Warren County building officials allow work to resume. Spurling said the remaining part of the roof might need to come down and roof work might have to be started over.

"That's going to be a dangerous job in itself," he said.

Church members hoped to be in the new building by October.

The 68-by-70-foot area of the building where the collapse occurred is going to be the church's temporary sanctuary while a main sanctuary is built. The area is then going to be turned into a gymnasium, according to church members.

The growing congregation of 200 is meeting in a former furniture store on Main Street in Morrow after outgrowing another location in the village about two years ago.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com