Minnesota OSHA Fines Employer for Violating Commercial Diving Standards Following Worker’s Drowning
Your Lake Aquatic Plant Management LLC faces $730,369 in penalties for willful violations.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Dec 04, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s (DLI) Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) Compliance has fined Your Lake Aquatic Plant Management LLC $730,369 after a worker drowned in May 2024 while removing lake weeds with scuba equipment.
According to a recent release, the company faces five willful violations of federal commercial diving safety standards. These violations—issued in November 2024—include failure to ensure workers were adequately trained or experienced, provide CPR and first aid training, appoint a person in charge of diving operations, develop a safe-practices manual, and have a standby diver on site.
"Every person should be able to go to work and come home safely. This was a tragic and preventable loss," DLI Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach said in a statement. "It's the responsibility of all employers to follow health and safety laws and keep their employers safe at work."
This incident marks the second drowning involving scuba equipment for lake weed removal in Minnesota since June 2022. The activity poses significant risks, including physical exertion, poor visibility, fluctuating water temperatures, and proximity to boat traffic and structures like docks or dams.
Federal regulations under Subpart T Commercial Diving (29 CFR sections 1910.401-.440) mandate that employers conducting diving operations must take specific safety measures to protect workers. The MNOSHA investigation found Your Lake Aquatic Plant Management failed to comply. The company has contested the citations.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.