Teen's grain elevator death leads to fines ($1.6 million), child labor citations

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=127568&catid=339

KIOWA COUNTY - Federal regulators levied the second largest workplace safety fine in Colorado history against a rural business accused of poor safety practices and child labor law violatons.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Wage and Hour Division announced more than $1.6 million in fines on Monday against Tempel Grain Elevators.

Tempel Grain, based in Wiley, operates 14 grain elevators on the plains.

OSHA investigated after 17-year-old Cody Rigsby was killed while working in the company's Haswell grain elevator on May 29.

9Wants to Know has learned Rigsby and another workers were sent into a grain bin to keep the grain moving.

The flow of grain was not turned off, which is a violation. Rigsby did not have required emergency rescue equipment such as a harness or lifeline. The OSHA report noted another violation occured when no worker was stationed to watch the men working inside the bin.

FULL story at link.

[John N Morgan]

1. Tragic. That kid was probably so happy to have that job.

Coal mines and now grain elevators.

[PJPhreak]

2. In this part of the country it is not at all unusal for minors to know how,

And to be running heavy Machinery,large trucks and farm equipment.

My 14 year old neighbor kid can run a backhoe like a pro.

[Vincardog]

3. Does she know enough to turn it off when servicing it?