JACKSON, Miss. - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined VT Halter Marine Inc., a shipbuilder, for $1,322,000 following a November 2009 explosion and fire that killed two workers and seriously injured two other workers. The incident occurred in the inner bottom void of a tugboat that was being constructed at the company’s Escatawpa, Miss., facility.

“This was a horrific and preventable situation. The employer was aware of the hazards and knowingly and willfully sent workers into a confined space with an explosive and toxic atmosphere,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “Loss of life can never be something considered acceptable or as a course of doing business.”

Following its investigation, OSHA has cited the company for 17 willful and 11 serious violations. The willful citations are for failing to inspect and test the confined space prior to entry, to prevent entry into confined spaces where concentration of flammable vapors exceed the prescribed limits and to use explosion proof lighting in a hazardous location. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.

The serious violations include a lack of machine guarding, allowing the use of defective electrical equipment, failing to use approved containers for disposing flammable liquids, the lack of a rescue service available for a confined space entry, failing to properly ventilate a confined space, and missing or incomplete guardrails. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Eight other-than-serious violations also have been issued. These concern recordkeeping, failing to provide lavatory facilities with tepid running water, failing to ensure workplace floors were free from water accumulation and electrical grounding hazards.

“VT Halter knowingly and willfully failed to protect the lives of its workers in a confined space even though it had the knowledge and equipment necessary to do so,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “We will not tolerate this type of blatant and egregious disregard for the health and safety of workers. Employers need to know there will be consequences.”

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA’s Jackson Area Office, 3780 I-55 North, Suite 210; telephone 601-965-4606. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Feb. 1, 2010
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999
OSHA QuickCards™ focus on safety in marine cargo handling operations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently developed three QuickCards™ addressing worker safety topics in marine cargo handling operations.

Gangway Safety in Marine Cargo Handling lists safety requirements for preventing falls from gangways, the walkways used for boarding and departing vessels. First Aid in Marine Cargo Handling explains workplace requirements such as assuring at least one person with a valid first-aid certificate is available at the terminal to provide medical assistance. Additionally, Lifesaving Facilities in Marine Cargo Handling lists safety requirements for lifesaving equipment such as personal flotation devices and stokes basket stretchers, among other equipment.

“Too many workers are getting injured on the job,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. “OSHA is providing these QuickCards to ensure that employers and workers know the best way to prevent workplace injuries. These educational fact sheets are part of OSHA’s ongoing goal of promoting prevention through education.”

Industry operations covered in these Quick Cards include the transfer of cargo between ships, trucks, pipelines and other modes of transportation, and the operation and maintenance of piers, docks and associated buildings and facilities.

QuickCards™ are pocket-sized, laminated cards developed by OSHA to provide brief, plain language safety and health information for workers.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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