Federal safety officials levy $21,000 fine following death of painter

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined an eastern Jackson County paint company $21,000 following the death a 23-year-old painter in March when a scissor lift he was working on fell over.

Colton Frisbee was killed in the March 12 accident at Inland Truck Parts and Service at 8801 N.E. Parvin Road, near Worlds of Fun. Frisbee was an employee of Myron’s Precise Paint Systems in Grain Valley.

Frisbee was one of two painters working on the lift at a height of about 25 feet. As the lift tipped over, he fell and landed on a truck. A portion of the scissor lift then fell on top of him, according to authorities.

Frisbee died at the scene.

“No family should ever have to endure the pain and loss suffered by the family of Colton Frisbee, the employee killed in this preventable and senseless incident,” Barbara Theriot, OSHA’s area director in Kansas City, said in a statement. “Operating equipment that is in poor repair and has inoperable controls, such as the scissor lift that Colton was using, is inexcusable.”

The company was cited for three serious safety violations.

Company officials could not be reached for comment on Monday.