"Start with heart": Family mourns construction worker Robert Alcure, who fell to death at Edina construction site
EDINA, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Labor has opened an investigation into the workplace death of a carpenter at an apartment complex under construction in Edina.
According to police, Robert Alcure fell four stories while working on the site on 77th Street West on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
"I don't even think I can fully understand it yet," said Kaitlin Hughes, Alcure's longtime girlfriend. "I'm trying to just, like every moment, I'm just trying to think of what he would do and what he would want. And he just was always so strong in the hardest situations."
Tara Alcure, his ex-wife and mother to his 13-year-old son, Arlo, said he had an "infectious smile." The mutual respect for him, moreover, has produced an unbreakable, if not unconventional, bond between her and Hughes.
"I'd say we're family," Tara Alcure said.
Alcure's family said site managers told them he was installing sheetrock when a single two-by-four support beam gave way to an elevator shaft.
"He had stories about him on roofs and installing windows, and I always told him to be safe," Hughes said. "This is what I was afraid of."
"My son doesn't have a father," Tara Alcure said. "Why did he fall? I'm just so angry. I just don't get why he's gone. He should be here."
Shawn Larson, vice president of RTL Construction, a subcontractor on the site, called Alcure's death a "terrible, terrible tragedy," and the company is fully complying with the DOL and its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation.
"I know there are lots of questions. Most we're still looking for answers on ourselves," Larson wrote in an email to WCCO. "I can share that our employee fell, 911 was called immediately and he later passed away at the hospital. We are cooperating fully with proper authorities and have nothing more to share regarding the specifics at this time. Our work is often done in what can be dangerous environments. Our team members are all well trained by their respective unions, as well as our company to work around these dangers. Last week those dangers became much too real for all of us."
Larson further explained that Alcure, like all employees, was given a company-issued harness, and there was a tie-down within a few feet from where he fell, but Alcure was not required to wear the harness per OSHA standards.
"We have no reason to believe we did not have all proper systems in place, however we will continue working with OSHA to be certain of that," Larson said. "At this point we believe it was just a tragic accident."
OSHA records show RTL Construction has been cited and fined six times in the last five years, including two complaints related to fall protection.
According to Larson, the company maintained strict safety protocols, but it was a group of employees who got "complacent with safety protocols" and didn't follow the protocols. Larson said those employees have since been fired.
As for changing current safety practices, Larson said the company remains confident in its workplace conditions despite Alcure's death.
"I have asked all of our team members to continue checking their job sites for areas of improvement, even if we are meeting the minimum standards set forth by OSHA," Larson said. "I anticipate those discussions will continue in the coming days and hopefully continue happening forever. I have also reminded our team that regardless of all the things we do to mitigate risk, there are always dangers present on our job sites and that we need to watch out for one another and make sure we're not letting our guard down in regards to working safely."
For Alcure's family, anger and frustration may be part of their grief, but they know it's not their priority.
"The thing he always said anytime we were in a hard situation with anybody, each other, other people, he would say, 'Start with heart,'" Hughes said. "We start with heart."