Virginia’s OSHA is investigating the death of a 14-year-old boy killed in an accident involving a commercial wood chipper.
Frank Gornick died instantly according to police.
Authorities believe he was shoveling debris into the chipper when he was pulled in completely.
He was working with two adult employees of Old Dominion Tree and Lawn Care. They were away from the chipper when Gornick was pulled in.
The company is owned by Robert Strickland. He and his wife took Gornick into their home after the death of both his parents.
A policy analyst for the state labor department tells the Daily Press that Virginia child labor laws prohibit anyone under 18 from operating any power woodworking machine. By definition, a wood chipper falls into that category.
