Police tape

The Alabama Department of Labor has issued three $5,000 fines against Apex Roofing and Restoration, LLC. in the death of a 15-year-old who suffered fatal injuries after falling from a roof on a worksite in Cullman on July 1 last year.

Earlier, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the company and WW Restoration LLC for exposing employees to fall hazards. The companies face $159,118 in penalties.

The 15-year-old fell through an unsecured area of the roof at Cullman Casting before 11 a.m., falling 35-40 feet. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick. The teenager had a Vestavia Hills address.

The Alabama Department of Labor found the Apex Roofing and Restoration in violation of three age-restricted occupations and fined the company a total of $15,000.

“We want to make it to clear that Alabama will not tolerate workplace violations regarding minor workers,” said Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “These are the maximum fines allowable by state law. What happened to this child was not only a tragedy, but a completely avoidable one. We continue to share our condolences with the victim’s family.”

“At no time should anyone under the age of 18 be working on a roof,” said Robin Wilburn, Child Labor Supervisor. “The law is very clear, and this employer was in direct violation.”

The employer has an opportunity to contest the penalties by filing a written objection to the Alabama Department of Labor within 30 days.

Eight teenagers have died in prohibited occupations since 2000.