Local

Construction worker killed in paving accident at KCI Airport; OSHA investigating the death

A worker for Clarkson Construction Co. died in a paving accident at Kansas City International Airport, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Tuesday.

Federal investigators are looking into the incident that occurred Friday. OHSA opened its investigation on Saturday, said Scott Allen, regional director for public affairs and media relations for the U.S. Department of Labor.

Preliminary information indicates that the worker suffered fatal injuries when struck by a machine during paving operations at the airport. Clarkson Construction reported the injuries immediately to OSHA as required, Allen said.

The project the worker was working on was not related to the construction of the new terminal. Rather, it was a rehabilitation of an existing runway, said Laurie Roberts, a spokeswoman for Clarkson Construction.

“With heavy hearts, we are saddened to share the news that we lost a beloved member of the Clarkson team on Friday,” Clarkson Construction said in a statement provided to The Star. ”Our deepest sympathies and focus remain with our colleague’s family, and ensuring they have the support they need following this tragic event.”

Clarkson was not providing any additional details out of respect for the worker’s family.

The name of the worker has not been released.

OSHA was not releasing any further information until it had completed its investigation. By law, OSHA has six months to complete its investigations and issue citations and propose fines if it finds violations of safety regulations.

This story was originally published October 25, 2022 at 9:48 AM.

Robert A. Cronkleton
The Kansas City Star
Robert A. Cronkleton is a breaking news reporter for The Kansas City Star, covering crime, courts, transportation, weather and climate. He’s been at The Star for 36 years. His skills include multimedia and data reporting and video and audio editing. Support my work with a digital subscription
Anna Spoerre
The Kansas City Star
Anna Spoerre covers breaking news for the Kansas City Star. Before joining The Star in 2020, she covered crime and courts for the Des Moines Register. Spoerre is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she studied journalism.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER