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Vancouver construction company fined for teenager's injuries that resulted in amputation of his legs
Vancouver construction company fined for teenager’s injuries that resulted in amputation of his legs
16-year-old hurt while using trencher at worksite in La Center
By Becca Robbins, Columbian staff reporter
Published: January 23, 2024, 7:31pm
Updated: January 25, 2024, 7:05am
Updated 4 hours ago
The walk-behind trencher a 16-year-old boy was using to dig a channel for fence posts while working for a Vancouver construction company over the summer. He was dragged under the blade of the machine, and his injuries required both of his legs to be amputated. (Photo contributed by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries)
Labor officials have fined a Vancouver construction company more than $150,000 after a 16-year-old boy’s legs were amputated following an injury last summer while working on a site in La Center.
The boy, while working for Rotschy LLC, was using a walk-behind trencher to dig a channel for fence posts when he was dragged under the blade. His injuries were so severe that both of his legs were eventually amputated, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. ... Rotschy declined to comment Tuesday on the incident and fine.
The state agency cited Rotschy in December, and the company has appealed, according to a news release from the labor department. The agency said it fined Rotschy the maximum penalty available and determined its violations were serious and willful.
The boy was participating in a work-based learning program with the company, which allowed him to earn classroom credit while gaining job experience. Although the company had a student learner exemption to allow minors to work, the exemption did not allow for minors to use a walk-behind trencher, according to the labor department. The agency also said the boy was using the equipment without supervision or taking adequate safety measures. ... The labor department ordered the company to immediately stop work and suspended its student learner exemption.
{snip}
16-year-old hurt while using trencher at worksite in La Center
By Becca Robbins, Columbian staff reporter
Published: January 23, 2024, 7:31pm
Updated: January 25, 2024, 7:05am
Updated 4 hours ago
The walk-behind trencher a 16-year-old boy was using to dig a channel for fence posts while working for a Vancouver construction company over the summer. He was dragged under the blade of the machine, and his injuries required both of his legs to be amputated. (Photo contributed by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries)
Labor officials have fined a Vancouver construction company more than $150,000 after a 16-year-old boy’s legs were amputated following an injury last summer while working on a site in La Center.
The boy, while working for Rotschy LLC, was using a walk-behind trencher to dig a channel for fence posts when he was dragged under the blade. His injuries were so severe that both of his legs were eventually amputated, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. ... Rotschy declined to comment Tuesday on the incident and fine.
The state agency cited Rotschy in December, and the company has appealed, according to a news release from the labor department. The agency said it fined Rotschy the maximum penalty available and determined its violations were serious and willful.
The boy was participating in a work-based learning program with the company, which allowed him to earn classroom credit while gaining job experience. Although the company had a student learner exemption to allow minors to work, the exemption did not allow for minors to use a walk-behind trencher, according to the labor department. The agency also said the boy was using the equipment without supervision or taking adequate safety measures. ... The labor department ordered the company to immediately stop work and suspended its student learner exemption.
{snip}
1 replies
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