NC Dept of Labor Issues Fine for Electrician's Death

North Carolina Department of Labor has issued a $5,600 fine to another state agency in connection with a worker death in April. The Labor Department fined the Department of Administration for the death of electrician Hal Rue. State officials said Rue was setting up an aerial lift outside the State Archives building when the lift toppled on him on April 13.

“When I saw the amount, I thought that was a low amount,” said Rue’s widow, Marlene. The two would have celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary in July. “I think the real grief has come later on, realizing I’m not going to see him again, not on this Earth.”

An Oct. 14 letter from the Labor Department said its position had not changed after the two departments couldn’t reach a settlement. The Department of Administration has 15 working days from receipt of that letter to pay the penalty or appeal it to an independent board.

The fine was issued under the general duty clause, which requires employers to provide workplaces free from recognized hazards. The maximum penalty was $7,000.

“Safety measures that weren’t in place, they need to put them in place. Take it very seriously because it can happen. They’ve seen it,” said Marlene Rue.

A spokesman for the Department of Labor said the Department of Administration paid the fine Thursday. However, a spokesman for the Department of Administration also noted attorneys for his agency are still trying to determine if they’ll take any additional action.

“All of Mr. Rue’s work family was saddened by this tragic accident. At the end of the day we want to see all of our employees go home safely. We would like to thank the Department of Labor for their help and advice, and have already implemented additional safety measures across all of our divisions,” said Chris Mears, spokesman for the Department of Administration. 
 

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Electricians Seriously Burned at Charlotte Hotel

Two electricians suffered serious injuries after being burned at a hotel in southwest Charlotte Thursday afternoon, according to officials.

Firefighters said the workers, who were electrical contractors, were burned while working on an electrical panel at a Ramada Inn. They said a flash fire sparked up during the incident.

"We don’t know exactly.  They were working on a panel, it’s a main large electrical panel that’s 480 volts and whatever happened something in there went wrong and it flashed and like I said electricity and a flash fire," said Battalion Chief Paula McDaniel.

Both workers were taken by ambulance to an area hospital. Their names and conditions have not been released.

Fire crews say there was not a fire when they arrived, but that firefighters reported seeing a small amount of smoke. A guest at the hotel said that he saw smoke on the first floor of the hotel.  Kenny Smith says he left his room when he heard the fire alarm.

"So three of us ran downstairs to the outside door downstairs to the bottom door we open up the first door all we saw was full of smoke so then after that the three of us cut out the side door and back and ran around the corner.  But they still haven’t come out and said anything to us," Smith said.

Duke Energy cut power to the hotel, they said, as a precaution.

Guests were allowed back into the hotel later in the evening.