While charges are possible in the death of a teenager who fell through the roof of Cullman Casting during a contract job Monday, the companies contracted for the project did not have prior labor violations at the state level.

Alabama Department of Labor Communications Director Tara Hutchison said Apex Roofing, the main contractor, W and W Restoration, the subcontractor, and Cullman Casting did not have documentation of past labor law violations.

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

Cullman Police Lt. Todd Chiaranda said, “We have established with certainty that this was an accident. At this time we are working with state and federal labor officials because of the age of the victim.”

Under state law, certain jobs are off-limits to workers 18 and under, including roofing.

Chiaranda also said there was safety equipment at the job site but was not being used.

“At this time what we’re looking at now could be a misdemeanor charge involving the foreman or someone with the contracting company,” Chiaranda said. “If the investigation shows that there was a past offense or offenses under the labor law, then it could be become a felony charge.”

The teenager, who was not identified because of his age, was of Guatemalan nationality and had a Vestavia Hills address. Chiaranda also reported the victim’s brother was working on the roof when the accident occurred. Investigators will also look into the citizenship status of the teen.

The work at Cullman Casting was underway while the facility was closed for the July Fourth holiday week. The contract for the roof repair was under Apex Roofing, which subcontracted to W and W Restoration, both Birmingham area companies.

Chiaranda said the investigation is also focusing on the contracting and subcontracting of the job.

“One thing we are also looking into is whether the subcontractor also subcontracted the job,” Chiaranda said. “We don’t all the answers yet, but there is still a lot to do in the investigation.”