CULLMAN , Ala. (WBMA) — A Pelham roofing company paid more than $100,000 in civil money penalties after a teen employed by the company died at a worksite.
In a news release, the U.S. Department of Labor said Apex Roofing & Restoration LLC employment of the 15-year-old was in violation of federal child labor laws, which “resulted in the child’s death.”
The incident happened July 1, 2019. The department of labor said it was the teen’s first day on the job and he was working on the roof a Cullman Casting Corporation building.
The department of labor said the teen fell around 50 feet to the floor below, suffering fractures of the wrist, skull and ribs, among other severe injuries. The teen was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident.
The department said its Wage and Hour Division found Apex Roofing illegally employed the teen in violation of a Fair Labor Standards Act child labor hazardous occupation order that prohibits workers under the age of 18 from engaging in dangerous jobs designated by the act, including roofing or construction operations.
After an investigation, begun in 2019, the agency assessed the civil money penalty of $117,175 through the child labor enhanced penalty program. This program increases penalties to address violations that cause the death or serious injuries of any worker under the age of 18.
“Apex Roofing risked the life of a child by employing him to work on a roof in violation of federal child labor laws, leaving relatives and friends to grieve an unnecessary and preventable tragedy,” said Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman. “The Wage and Hour Division will continue using every tool at our disposal to combat illegal child labor and hold violators accountable.”
abc3340.com
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