Region 4 News Release:   USDOL: 02-51
Wed., March 26, 2002
Contact: Lorette Post      Roger Alcorn
Phone: 404/562-2078     954/424-0242 ext. 0

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. -- A Florida company's failure to protect workers from electrocution hazards contributed to two fatalities and may cost the company $50,250 in proposed penalties, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced.

On Sept. 19, 2001, two employees of South Florida Yachts, Inc. were electrocuted when a 35-foot high traveling hoist they were using to remove a boat from a storage area came in contact with a 30- foot high, 7,500 volt overhead powerline.

Following an inspection of the accident, OSHA cited South Florida Yachts for one willful violation of safety standards and proposed a penalty totaling $49,000 for failing to alert workers to potential hazards and instruct them about protective measures needed to perform their jobs safely.

"This employer knew power lines were obstructing the storage area; was aware of the height of the traveling hoist, and was familiar with labeling on the equipment warning against getting close to electrical hazards," said Luis Santiago, OSHA's Ft. Lauderdale area director. "Yet, company officials took no action to remove the powerlines or to alert workers to the hazard."

In 1999, in response to the high rate of construction accidents in Florida, OSHA launched the CARE (Construction Accident Reduction Emphasis) program and established special local emphasis programs -- falls and electrical -- to address the high accident rate attributable to these two hazards.

In fiscal year 2000, there were 37 electrical accidents in the southeast of which 20, or 54 percent, involved overhead powerlines. In 2001, the number of shocks or electrocutions had dropped to 30 but powerline-related accidents remained at 20, or 67 percent of the total. So far this fiscal year, seven of the 13 electrical accidents, a total of 54 percent, resulted from contact with powerlines.

"Far too many Florida workers are electrocuted on the job," said Santiago. "In this case, although company officials knew the powerlines were a potential threat, they took no remedial action."

One serious citation in connection with the inspection drew a fine of $1,250 for absence of a deflecting device or bumper on the traveling hoist to prevent a crushing accident.

South Florida Yachts employs 28 workers in boat sales, service and storage. The company has 15 working days to contest OSHA's citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Inspection of the fatal accident was conducted by OSHA's area office at Jacaranda Executive Court, 8040 Peters Rd., Building H-100, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33324-4029; telephone: (954) 424-0242.