OSHA Cites Missouri Construction Company in Teen Worker’s Death

St. Peters, MO, (Law Firm Newswire) February 27, 2015 – After a teenage worker was killed on-site in a work accident, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued 13 serious safety violations to a Poplar Bluff construction company.

The 16-year-old was struck and killed by the boom of a crane while working on a construction site for the Robertson Incorporated Bridge and Grading Division.

“As OSHA pointed out, minors are not legally allowed to work on the kind of operation in question,” commented Charlie James, a Missouri wrongful death attorney. “The OSHA report makes it clear that this child died as a result of the employer’s reckless disregard for worker safety.”

According to OSHA, the teen was not issued appropriate protective headgear, and he had been directed to stand in a poorly-marked hazard zone. The operator of the crane was not informed that the teen had been directed to stand in that zone.

In issuing serious safety violations, OSHA indicated that Robertson Incorporated Bridge either knew or should have known that a death or serious injury could occur due to hazards present at the work site.

OSHA also issued a number of additional violations not directly related to the fatal accident. Onsite, OSHA found that many workers were at risk of major falls from machine platforms that were not guarded. In addition, the company was cited for exposing workers to significant amputation risks.

“Sadly, corporate carelessness about safety standards is not uncommon in the construction industry, where workers undertake some of the most dangerous work in the world,” said James. “Hopefully, the leadership at Robertson Incorporated Bridge will take responsibility for the death of this young person and for the safety of all of their workers in the future.”

Learn more at http://www.jameslawgroup.net/. James Law Group, LLC 14 Richmond Center Court St. Peters, MO 63376 Phone: 636.397.2411 Toll Free: 800.229.7112