Federal action proposes more than $130,000 in penalties

OSHA has proposed $130,200 in fines against Novis Marine Ltd., a yacht design and fabrication company in Fairport Harbor, Ohio for alleged willful, serious and repeat violations of federal workplace safety standards.  Novis Marine now goes by the name of Grand River Composites after a sale that occured early last year.

OSHA’s investigation, opened in August 2008, resulted in one willful citation for fall hazards associated with open-sided floors and platforms, 23 alleged serious violations involving electrical and fire hazards, lack of personal protective equipment and stair railings, machine guarding and training deficiencies. Repeat violations involved a lack of explosion proof equipment in paint spray booths and other potential fire hazards.

“Failing to practice required OSHA safety and health standards is detrimental to the welfare of American workers,” said Rob Medlock, director of OSHA’s area office in Cleveland, Ohio. “Any employer who is committed to providing a safe place of work can avoid employee injuries and fatalities by following OSHA’s regulations.”

Novis Marine Ltd. designs and constructs yachts and sailboat spars for various brands. The company has been inspected by OSHA numerous times since 1995 and has been cited for a variety of safety and health violations.

If your company needs assistance with OSHA compliance issues feel free to contact Advanced Safety & Health to discuss your needs. 

In December 2007 OSHA announced in the Federal Register that they are accepting public comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on General Working Conditions in Shipyard Employment. The proposed rule aims to help reduce hazards and provide greater protection for shipyard employees. The agency will accept public comments on the proposed rule until March 19, 2008.

“Working in shipyards is one of the most hazardous occupations in the nation,” said Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “Shipyard employees perform industrial operations such as abrasive blasting and welding, operate heavy equipment and often work in confined spaces onboard vessels. This proposed rule would help reduce the hazards these employees face.

“The proposal updates and clarifies provisions in the shipyard employment standards (29 CFR Part 1915 subpart F) that have largely gone unchanged since OSHA adopted them in 1972. OSHA proposes to revise and update existing provisions and to add new provisions, including the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) and motor vehicle safety.Proposed updates include establishing minimum lighting for certain worksites, accounting for employees at the end of work-shifts if they work in confined spaces or alone in isolated spaces, and adding uniform criteria to ensure shipyards have an adequate number of appropriately trained first aid providers. The proposal also updates sanitation requirements.

Interested parties may submit comments electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal, by sending three copies to the OSHA Docket Office, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-2625, Washington, DC 20210; or by FAX at (202) 693-1678 if the comments and attachments do not exceed 10 pages. Comments must include the Agency name and Docket Number for this rulemaking (Docket No. OSHA-S049-2006-0675).