OKLAHOMA CITY – An Edmond paving contractor faces penalties totaling $370,347 in the death of an employee who died on the job last year.
Federal workplace safety investigators allege that T.J. Campbell Construction Co.’s failure to prevent sudden start-up of a conveyor system contributed to a teenaged worker’s fatal injuries.
Robert Sweeney, 18, was pulled into a hot asphalt silo as he tried to remove debris from the conveyor in south Oklahoma City, reports on the investigation reflect. The incident occurred on Nov. 2, 2021.
The temperature in the tank was 300 degrees, OKC Fire Department Capt. Scott Douglas told reporters.
Sweeney, a recent graduate of McLoud High School, had been on the job for “barely three months,” said OSHA Area Director Steven Kirby in Oklahoma City.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an inspection at the company and determined the conveyor system was not locked out/tagged out to avoid accidental startups.
OSHA issued willful citations against the company totaling $370,347 for failure to develop and use procedures for controlling hazardous energy when servicing or cleaning the asphalt conveyor system, and not training workers adequately on requirements for controlling hazardous energy.
In addition to the willful citations, OSHA cited the company for:
Ÿ permitting unguarded pulleys, chain and sprockets on walking and working surfaces.
Ÿ failing to apply energy isolation devices.
Ÿ handrails missing from stairways.
Ÿ uncovered holes in the floor of walking working surfaces.
Company officials declined media requests for comment.
Based in Edmond, T.J. Campbell Construction, a subsidiary of DUIT Holdings Inc., is an asphalt and concrete paving contractor. The company has experience with highway, street and site infrastructure for commercial developments, as well as construction services.
The company was given 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.