OSHA Cites Robertson Incorporated Bridge and Grading Division after 16-year-old Laborer Dies
The Wage and Hour Division has assessed the company penalties for violating child labor laws.
OSHA has cited the Robertson Incorporated Bridge and Grading Division in connection with the death of a 16-year-old laborer who was fatally struck by the swinging cab and boom of a crane that was being disassembled at a construction site in Delta, Mo., on June 18, 2014. An OSHA investigation found the crane operator was unaware that the teen was directed to stand in an inadequately marked danger zone. The teen was also not provided required protective headgear. OSHA has cited the company for 13 serious safety violations.
"This is a tragic death involving a teenager who should not have been allowed to work on the job site. Clearly, the law prohibits children from being involved in the disassembly of heavy-duty construction machinery," said Bill McDonald, OSHA's area director in St. Louis. "Robertson Incorporated Bridge has a responsibility to train workers in hazards, adequately mark hazardous operations areas, and provide competent supervision and protective equipment."
In addition to the struck-by hazard that resulted in the teen's death, OSHA's investigation found a lack of employee hazard recognition training contributed to the fatality. The company also failed to document required inspections of the crane's wire rope and hook.
OSHA found multiple safety violations that included worker exposure to fall hazards of nearly 7 feet from unguarded machine platforms and failure to implement procedures, such as machine guarding, that protect workers from contacting operating machinery parts, exposing workers to serious amputation risks and hazards.