U.S. Department of Labor to investigate work accident involving teen

Kim Sloan

July 21, 2008 07:54 pm

— A 14-year-old male was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga Monday morning after he fell through the roof of the gym at Spring Place Elementary School. The teenager was working with a contractor repairing the roof.
The teenager fell around 10 a.m., hit some bleachers and landed on a concrete floor, said Dean Donehoo, director of administrative services for Murray County Schools. The teenager’s name was not released. He had a broken arm, some missing teeth and a possible concussion, Donehoo said.
Earlier this month, the Murray County Board of Education agreed to pay Brindle and Davis Metal Roofing of Dalton $34,500 to repair the roof. Charles Pigue, who said he was over the shop at Brindle and Davis, said the company had subcontracted the work to another company. Neither Pigue nor Donehoo knew that company’s name Monday afternoon.
The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will have an investigator on site this morning, according to Wayne Kotowski, assistant director.
“A 14-year-old under no circumstances should be working on a construction job,” Kotowski said.
School officials were not aware that the teenager was working there.
“We had no idea that anyone that age was working on the project,” Donehoo said. “We would not have allowed this if we had known it.”
Companies caught violating child labor provisions can be fined up to $10,000 for each employee who is the subject of a violation. Anyone who suspects a violation can call the Wage and Hour Division’s toll-free number (866) 487-9243.

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