Fastrack Found Guilty in Worker’s Death

Kansas City, MO – A Pacific, MO, company, Fastrack Erectors, has been found guilty of violating an OSHA regulation and causing the death of a Raymore, MO, ironworker.

On July 24, 2014, 22-year-old Eric Roach fell approximately 30 feet to the ground while working on a 300,000-square-foot distribution warehouse in Kansas City, MO. Roach died the following day at a local hospital.

Fastrack was a subcontractor to ARCO National Construction-KC, Inc., and was required to provide adequate fall protection for employees working at heights in excess of 6 feet. However, the company failed to enforce the use of fall protection, and no equipment was provided.

According to court documents, the contract between ARCO and Fastrack required Fastrack to provide adequate fall protection, but the company ignored this requirement. The working foremen on the site were aware of the lack of fall protection equipment and failed to enforce its use.

U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays found that Fastrack was aware of safety violations but willfully ignored them, resulting in Roach’s tragic death. Federal law requires employers to protect their workers from workplace hazards to prevent needless injuries and deaths.

Fastrack was found guilty following a bench trial in August 2016, and the findings of fact and conclusions of law were issued on January 20, 2017. The company will be held accountable for its failure to protect its employees.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evert Van Wijk and Rachel Parsons, with the assistance of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.