Contractor cites paint supplier in worker’s death

Painting contractor RF Barratt Enterprises LLC today laid out the details of a construction worker’s death last week at the Aspen Springfield center city housing complex.

A news release sent on behalf of RF Barratt by Spencer Fane LLP places partial blame on paint supplier Sherwin-Williams.

Joshua Halphin, 25, of Springfield, died March 24 after falling from the fifth floor of the $26 million development under construction at 1028 St. Louis St.

The release states Halphin, an employee of RF Barratt, was being directed by an employee of a Sherwin-Williams store in Springfield.

RF Barratt claims Sherwin-Williams had been contracted to deliver paint buckets to the fifth-floor location, where RF Barratt would begin painting a few days later. At the request of Sherwin-Williams, RF Barratt sent three painters to help with the delivery, according to the release.

“Halphin and the two other painters were told by RF Barratt they would be carrying the paint buckets up an enclosed stairway to the fifth-floor hallway. Halphin and the other painters were new to the job and they did not have safety training for working at heights,” the statement reads. “Since the paint was to be carried up a stairwell, RF Barratt did not send its employees with experience in working at heights.”

RF Barratt contends a problem arose when a Sherwin-Williams employee borrowed a forklift and driver for the job instead of carrying the paint buckets as agreed.

The release states the forklift carried about 30 60-pound buckets placed in a plywood container that was not strapped to the forklift. The driver hoisted the paint to an unguarded balcony of the fifth-floor apartment under construction.

“Josh Halphin was unloading paint from the plywood container when it shifted and fell from the forklift. Mr. Halphin fell along with the plywood container,” the statement reads, noting the fall was roughly 50 feet.

“RF Barratt is focused on employee safety. The company and its employees all mourn Josh’s death.”

A Sherwin-Williams spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials are investigating the worker's death.