Missing video, safety violations emerge from OSHA probe into shipyard worker’s death
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found multiple safety violations at Colonna’s Shipyard after a worker suffered catastrophic injuries that led to his death. A family member said the probe also uncovered a gap in surveillance video that could be crucial in determining what happened.
Kenny Oakey was hurt on the job after he was called in on a Saturday morning, Sept. 30. He was on life support for two weeks and died Oct. 14.
“My brother lost his life and we still don’t know what happened to him,” Roy Oakey said in a Tuesday morning interview.
Previously: Family wants answers about shipyard worker’s gruesome death
Kenny’s shift had barely started when he suffered massive brain damage, 11 broken ribs, two fractures on his spine, a crushed collarbone and bruises on his neck, back and chest.
10 On Your Side obtained an OSHA report issued March 18 that cited five violations classified as serious, including a dangerous faulty ladder, failure to secure the placement of the ladder, failure to provide adequate guardrails in an elevated workspace, failure to provide flotation devices for workers near water, and improper hazard assessment and documentation.
OSHA is fining Colonna’s a total of $55,000.
“They were only fined $55,000 and my brother lost his life, and the government’s getting that money. My brother’s life is worth a whole lot more to us,” Roy Oakey said.
Oakey has spoken directly to the OSHA official who authored the report. The fines against Colonna’s are only part of the investigation — and not the biggest part.
“This is a big coverup here,” Roy Oakey said. “What happened to the video?”
He said the OSHA investigator reviewed a video surveillance system at the shipyard.
The day before his brother was injured, the system was working properly, but on the morning Kenny Oakey got called in to work, there’s a gap.
“[On the video], they can see my brother working on the barge,” Roy Oakey said. “The camera went off at 7:08 and they didn’t call EMS 911 till 7:30. The camera came back on when EMS was working on my brother on the barge.”
Roy Oakey says that gap matches up to the time his brother got badly hurt, and that caught the attention of OSHA.
“[The investigator] told me that was a big red flag,” Roy Oakey said.
He said that missing video holds the key to what happened.
“We just want the truth,” Roy Oakey said. “That’s all. We want the truth.”
He said the full report from OSHA is set for release next week, and once that happens, he plans to sue.
10 On Your Side called Colonna’s for comment but have not received a response.
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