The lineworker died on Aug. 15, 2024.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ State officials have fined Duke Energy over $16,000 following the August 2024 death of a 25-year-old lineworker in northwest Charlotte.
The North Carolina Department of Labor cited the utility company with one serious violation of the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Act. The citation comes after the fatal workplace incident that occurred on Wandering Creek Drive last Wednesday.
The maximum penalty allowed under North Carolina law for a serious safety violation is $16,131, which is the fine that was issued to the company. State statutes require the Labor Department to consider factors including the violation’s gravity, business size, employer good faith, and previous violation history when determining penalties.
By law, the civil penalties collected will not go to the labor department but must be distributed to North Carolina public schools.
Duke Energy has 15 working days to either request an informal conference with the Labor Department, file an appeal with the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, or pay the penalty.
The employee died on Aug. 15, 2024 after an incident on Wandering Creek Drive. The victim’s name was not released.
“Our hearts go out to our teammateโs family and fellow coworkers,” Duke Energy said in a 2024 statement.ย
Duke Energy has not publicly commented on Monday’s fine.
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