Company Cited for Fatality during Underwater Work

OSHA has cited Lucas Marine Acquisitions Co. for 22 safety violations following an inspection prompted by a worker’s death. The employee died while participating in a storm protection project in August of 2013. He was doing surface supplied-air diving during underwater construction activities.

This was the second violation for the company in 5 months, according to OSHA. The previous citation by OSHA was for allegedly sending construction workers underwater without proper training and adequate equipment. OSHA issued three willful citations, which include failure to ensure workers performing underwater diving operations had adequate experience and training, failure to provide employees engaged in diving operations with two-way voice communication for emergencies, and failure to ensure the designated person in charge was properly trained to oversee dive operations.

The company was additionally cited for 12 serious violations, which include failing to provide members of the diving team with CPR training, failing to assess the hazards of underwater conditions, failing to provide divers with a kink-resistant air line during dive operations, and others. Total penalties: $290,000.

Source: OH&S Online

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