Vancouver company faces child labor law violations after teen loses both legs
Vancouver company faces child labor law violations after teen loses both legs Fox 12 Oregon
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Vancouver Company Faces Child Labor Law Violations After Teen Loses Both Legs in Workplace Accident
VANCOUVER, Wash. (KPTV) – A company in Vancouver is facing child labor law violations after a teen lost both his legs after a workplace accident.
According to a statement by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Rotschy LLC, Vancouver, Wash., is facing additional fines after an investigation stemming from the catastrophic injury of a 16-year old worker on a construction site last summer.
The teenage boy was using a walk-behind trencher when he was dragged underneath the blade, causing injuries so severe he lost both his legs. The company was fined $156,259 for letting workers operate equipment without training or experience.
Now, the state has issued an additional $51,800 in fines for violations of laws designed to protect minor workers.
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“There are some jobs that state law says minor workers just can’t do, for their own safety” said Bryan Templeton, manager of L&I’s Employment Standards Program. “But the law can only prevent tragic injuries like this when they’re followed. Rotschy knew the rules, but still put seven different teenage workers in harm’s way nearly three dozen times.”
State investigators found that Rotschy allowed seven different minors to operate earth-moving machines or heavy equipment or work so close to the machines that they could be injured by them on 35 different occasions.
They also denied 11 minor workers meal breaks they are due under law 45 times, and worked eight young workers for more hours than state law allows during a school day more than 150 times. On one occasion, Rotschy started a teen’s work day before 5 a.m.
These new citations are on top of L&I citing the company for a “willful serious” workplace safety and health violation in December for the same incident. L&I also issued an order of immediate restraint suspending Rotschy’s student learner exemption.
L&I issued the latest citation on Feb. 22, and the company paid it on March 12. They have already appealed the safety and health citation.
Copyright 2024 KPTV-KPDX. All rights reserved.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (according to the International Labor Organization’s definition of child labor).
-
SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
- Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by sex and type of skill.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (according to the International Labor Organization’s definition of child labor). |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. | Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by sex and type of skill. |
Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 4: Quality Education.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:
– Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
– Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (according to the International Labor Organization’s definition of child labor).
– Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by sex and type of skill.
The article mentions child labor violations and the severe injury of a 16-year-old worker, highlighting the need to eradicate child labor and ensure the safety of young workers. This aligns with Target 8.7 of SDG 8. Additionally, the article mentions the lack of training and experience for workers, indicating the importance of providing relevant skills for employment, which relates to Target 4.4 of SDG 4.
The indicators mentioned in the article are not explicitly stated but can be inferred from the information provided. The article mentions that the company allowed seven different minors to operate earth-moving machines or heavy equipment, indicating child labor involvement. This can be measured using Indicator 8.7.1, which tracks the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor. The article also mentions the denial of meal breaks and exceeding working hours for young workers, indicating potential violations of labor standards. This can be measured using Indicator 4.4.1, which tracks the proportion of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (according to the International Labor Organization’s definition of child labor). |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. | Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by sex and type of skill. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: kptv.com
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