Tragic Deaths of Two Brothers May Have Involved Violations of California Labor Law

Sun Valley, CA A potential violation of California labor law in tandem with other alleged safety violations may have contributed to the deaths of two brothers while working at a prominent composting and recycling facility in California last October. The younger of the two brothers was only 16 at the time he died and was tasked with work that may have been in violation of California labor code.

The Los Angeles Times (3/22/12) reported that in excess of $165,000 in fines were levied against Community Recycling and Resource Recovery, located in the San Fernando Valley. A spokesperson for the State division of Occupational Safety and Health said in a statement that the deaths of the two young workers were "completely preventable."

This particular California and labor law story unfolded October 12 of last year, when Armando Ramirez was standing atop a ladder in a drainpipe when he was overcome while attempting to clear a blockage in the pipe. Armando's older brother Eladio came to the aid of Armando but was himself overcome by hydrogen sulfide, a common byproduct of the composting process.

Armando was pronounced dead at the scene, while Eladio died in the hospital two days later. The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement is reportedly looking into possible violations of California and labor law pertaining to child labor. Armando's work papers were reported to have claimed the deceased was 30 years of age, when in actual fact he was just 16. Eladio, his older brother, was 22 when he was removed from life support.

An investigation into the incident against a backdrop of California labor employment law may reveal that the younger Armando, at 16, may have been too young to perform the hazardous work that eventfully claimed his life.

A spokesperson for the facility noted that a thorough and aggressive investigation was launched into the incident, and that a thorough review of the company's safety and training protocols was undertaken.

Further investigation will ascertain if criminal charges are warranted in this California labor employment law matter.

It is not known if a California labor lawsuit has been launched on behalf of the two dead brothers.

California state labor laws exist to prevent a myriad of injustices that are often leveled at workers??"everything from fair pay and overtime, to working conditions, rest periods and meal breaks. Accidents will happen??"and such may have been the case here. Nonetheless, some employers flaunt the law for their own convenience and to their own advantage.