$62,700 in Fines Issued to R.I. Shipyard for Exit, Electrical Hazards
"Left uncorrected, these conditions expose workers to potential crushing and 'struck-by' injuries, lacerations, amputations, electric shock, and being unable to exit the workplace swiftly in the event of a fire or other emergency," said Patrick Griffin, OSHA's Rhode Island area director.
OSHA has cited Senesco Marine LLC for alleged serious and repeat violations of workplace safety standards. The North Kingstown, R.I., shipyard faces a total of $62,700 in proposed fines following an inspection conducted under OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which directs inspections toward workplaces with a rate of workdays lost due to injuries and illnesses that is higher than the industry average.
The inspection by OSHA's Providence Area Office identified a variety of mechanical, electrical, and exit hazards at the shipyard. These included a locked emergency exit, an inadequately guarded grinder, an ungrounded electrical cord, the lack of an emergency eyewash, an unattended powered industrial truck left with its motor running and its brake not secured, and a failure to provide annual respirator fit-testing for all members of the company's emergency response team. As a result of these conditions, OSHA issued citations to Senesco Marine for eight serious violations, carrying $35,200 in proposed fines.
The shipyard also was cited for one repeat violation, with a fine of $27,500, for unguarded points of operation on a press brake and an ironworker machine. OSHA cited similar hazards at the shipyard following a 2007 inspection.
"Left uncorrected, these conditions expose workers to potential crushing and 'struck-by' injuries, lacerations, amputations, electric shock, and being unable to exit the workplace swiftly in the event of a fire or other emergency," said Patrick Griffin, OSHA's Rhode Island area director. "For the safety and health of its employees, this employer needs to correct these hazards and take effective steps to ensure that they do not occur again."