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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2005 - 06/23/2005 - Job Hazards at Harvey Shipyard Bring OSHA Citations and Fines |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 6 News Release: OSHA-05-1120-DAL Thursday, June 23, 2005 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 Job Hazards at Harvey Shipyard Bring OSHA Citations and Fines
HARVEY, La. -- A Harvey shipyard's alleged failure to protect employees from hazards has resulted in proposed penalties of $45,300 from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Kody Marine Inc., a tug repair facility that employs about 65 workers, was issued citations alleging 21 serious, two repeat and five other-than-serious safety violations following an inspection that began May 12 as part of OSHA's shipbuilding and repair industry "local emphasis program". "There are more than 90 shipbuilding facilities in Louisiana and OSHA is targeting companies with injury and illness rates greater than the industry average," said Greg Honaker, OSHA area director in Baton Rouge. "OSHA will be looking at excessive noise levels, confined space entry hazards, fall and electrical hazards, exposure to airborne contaminants such as cadmium, nickel, chromium, zinc and iron metal fumes and other violations." Among the serious violations are failing to: guard machinery, train employees who enter confined spaces, provide safe access to vessels and develop and implement a fire safety plan. Improper storage around electrical equipment, improperly securing a ladder and operating a forklift with a safety defect were also cited as serious. A serious citation is issued for hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm to employees. The repeat citations were issued for allowing hot work without the required testing and certification of the work space by a marine chemist and failing to guard the edges of decks and platforms. Repeat citations are issued for violations for which the employer was previously cited. Five other-than-serious citations were issued for failing to separate fuel and oxygen cylinders, not covering electrical boxes, failing to perform a personal protective equipment hazard assessment, and no respirator protection and hazardous communication programs. An other-than-serious violation is a hazardous condition that would probably not cause death or serious physical harm, but would have a direct and immediate relationship to the safety and or health of the employees. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the Baton Rouge area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards may contact the Baton Rouge OSHA area office at (225) 298-5458 or may call OSHA's toll-free hotline number at 1-800-321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities, or situations posing imminent danger to workers. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # #
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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