A U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation determined the death of a 17-year-old Pennsylvania worker, who was partially pulled into a woodchipper, could have been prevented if the company followed federal safety standards.
The young worker was feeding entangled material into the machine when he was killed. OSHA reported Adam’s Tree Service, of Schnecksville, allowed three minor-aged workers to operate the woodchipper, a hazardous occupation forbidden by federal child labor laws, according to a Feb. 13 news release.
“The dangers of tree-trimming and operating a woodchipper are obvious and widely known, and yet this employer exposed a teenager to deadly risks. Now his family, friends and co-workers are left to mourn,” OSHA Area Office Director Jean Kulp said in the release.
OSHA found the employer failed to provide and make sure employees used personal protective equipment, train workers to operate the woodchipper safely, have personnel with first-aid training at the work site and maintain portable fire extinguishers at the work site, the release reported. The company and its owner, Adam Atiyeh, have been issued citations for 10 serious safety violations and proposed penalties of $124,987.
The alleged child labor violations were referred to the department’s Wage and Hour Division for further investigation, according to the release. The company has 15 business days to comply with the citation, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
