CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Wooden Robot Brewery was fined in connection to the death of its co-founder Dan Wade, who died from a fall at the establishment in February.
The citation states that the brewery failed to protect its employees from falling through any hole that was four or more feet above a lower level.
The department said there were no covers, guardrail, travel restraint or personal fall arrest systems to prevent employees from falling through a hole or skylights.
Wooden Robot Brewery was issued a $2,000 fine for one alleged serious violation, according to the Labor Department. The maximum fine for a serious violation is $15,625.
“The General Statutes say the Labor Department has to take into consideration various factors such as the gravity of the violations, the size of the business, the good faith and cooperation of the employer, and history of previous violations,” Erin Wilson, the director of communications for the Department of Labor said.
“The penalties are in no way designed to make up for the loss of life,” Wilson said.
The citation also said that employees were exposed to a nearly 20-foot fall hazard over a concrete floor below.
Wade died at the South End taproom on February 20th. The brewery reopened its locations later that month.
