A construction worker was fatally injured at Lambeau Field. Now, 2 local companies face penalties

GREEN BAY — Federal inspectors found violations and proposed fines against two companies after a construction worker died in June at Lambeau Field.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to Miron Construction Co., Inc. and Mavid Construction earlier this month. USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin requested and received the documents from the agency on Monday.

Earlier this year, crews replaced the two large video boards at Lambeau's north and south ends and renovated concession stands throughout the stadium.

OSHA began its investigation after 27-year-old Joshua Shaw, of Clintonville, was injured June 15 while working at Lambeau Field. He died two days later.

Shaw was "one of our valued carpenters" at Mavid Construction, Zoar Fulwilder, the Green Bay company's owner, said in a statement to the Green Bay Press-Gazette Tuesday. Shaw was a second-generation employee, and his father and brother also work at Mavid Construction, according to the statement.

"As a family-owned company, this loss has truly impacted us all," Fulwilder said. "We continue to support both the Shaw family and our employees. Mavid Construction is working with the Shaw family to carry on Josh’s legacy through a scholarship that will benefit future generations interested in pursuing a career in the construction industry."

Fulwilder added, "We have been in communication with OSHA since the incident and are committed to safety on all of our project sites."

Miron Construction, headquartered in Neenah, was the general contractor on the project.

"We have been working with the proper officials and will continue following their established and trusted processes as we are committed to providing safe and productive project sites for all our team members," the company said in a statement Tuesday to the Press-Gazette. "Miron has a longstanding rapport with OSHA and we expect that to continue."

Carpenter struck by dumbwaiter car, OSHA says

On June 15, Shaw "was conducting framing operations inside the newly expanded" north end zone scoreboard, according to OSHA. The scoreboard has six levels and a roof section, and Shaw was working on the first level.

Around 10 a.m., Shaw leaned over a guardrail around the hoistway where the dumbwaiter car traveled to talk with another employee "about needing equipment," the agency said. Shaw asked for a table saw to be loaded on the dumbwaiter and lifted to the scoreboard's first level from the lower concourse, according to OSHA.

When the two finished talking, the other employee turned to walk away from the opening, OSHA said. As Shaw leaned over the guardrail, the dumbwaiter car, operated by pendant, came down from the upper levels of the scoreboard and struck him in the back of the head, according to the agency.

"The dumbwaiter car continued to descend," OSHA said, and trapped Shaw.

Emergency crews responded to the scene, and firefighters extricated Shaw within seven minutes. He was taken to St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.

OSHA opened inspection cases involving Mavid and Miron that month.

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OSHA issues fine of more than $15,000 to both businesses

Federal inspectors found two violations for each of the companies, according to letters that OSHA sent the businesses, dated Nov. 15. The agency proposed a penalty of $15,626 for Mavid and $18,976 for Miron.

According to OSHA, the companies' employees and subcontractors "were exposed to pinch-point hazards associated with the operation of an electric dumbwaiter when the employer did not ensure the controls for the lift had been tagged or locked to render the lift inoperable."

The companies also "did not ensure that employees and contractors were qualified by training or experience prior to allowing them to operate the lifting device," the agency said, among other issues.

Mavid and Miron each have 15 business days after receiving 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.

Reporter Doug Schneider contributed to this story.

Reach Becky Jacobs at bjacobs@gannett.com or 920-993-7117. Follow her on Twitter at @ruthyjacobs.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: OSHA cites Mavid, Miron related to carpenter's death at Lambeau Field