NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.
OSHA News Release -
Boston
Region
Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
Region 1 News Release: 09-8-BOS/BOS 2009-007
Tues., Jan. 13, 2009
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
BRAINTREE, Mass. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has completed inspections prompted by a fatal Aug. 14, 2008, accident at the former Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Mass. Employees were dismantling the 3,000 ton overhead Goliath gantry crane when one of its legs fell to the ground, crushing one employee and injuring three others.
OSHA's inspection found that Norsar LLC, the contractor overseeing the dismantling, and Sarens, the subcontractor that owned and operated the jacking system used to support the crane during the dismantling process, deviated from the original disassembly plan, choosing to dismantle the crane's 160-foot long, 175 metric-ton weight legs in single units rather than in two 80-foot sections.
These changes exposed employees to crushing and struck-by hazards due to inadequate planning, failure to control movement and failure to assure the structural stability of the leg during its removal. Excessive pull and push forces were applied to the leg, which shot out, severed its support connections and crashed to the ground. The two companies also failed to avoid or minimize employees' presence in the danger zone.
As a result, Norsar and Sarens were both issued serious citations for exposing employees to crushing and struck-by hazards. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.
In addition, these two contractors plus a third, Daniel Marr and Son Co., were cited for exposing the employees, who were working near water, to drowning and fall hazards due to lack of guardrails, personal flotation devices, life vests, rescue skiffs and/or fall protection.
All told, Norsar was issued five serious citations with $35,000 in proposed fines; Sarens was issued three serious citations, with $21,000 in fines; and Marr was issued four serious citations with $12,000 in fines. The fines proposed to Norsar and Sarens were $7,000 each, the maximum allowed under law for serious citations.
Each company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed fines to meet with OSHA or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Boston South Area Office; telephone 617-565-6924.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department 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.
Tues., Jan. 13, 2009
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
U.S. Labor Department's OSHA issues citations in connection with fatality during dismantling of Goliath gantry crane at former Quincy, Mass., shipyard
BRAINTREE, Mass. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has completed inspections prompted by a fatal Aug. 14, 2008, accident at the former Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Mass. Employees were dismantling the 3,000 ton overhead Goliath gantry crane when one of its legs fell to the ground, crushing one employee and injuring three others.
OSHA's inspection found that Norsar LLC, the contractor overseeing the dismantling, and Sarens, the subcontractor that owned and operated the jacking system used to support the crane during the dismantling process, deviated from the original disassembly plan, choosing to dismantle the crane's 160-foot long, 175 metric-ton weight legs in single units rather than in two 80-foot sections.
These changes exposed employees to crushing and struck-by hazards due to inadequate planning, failure to control movement and failure to assure the structural stability of the leg during its removal. Excessive pull and push forces were applied to the leg, which shot out, severed its support connections and crashed to the ground. The two companies also failed to avoid or minimize employees' presence in the danger zone.
As a result, Norsar and Sarens were both issued serious citations for exposing employees to crushing and struck-by hazards. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.
In addition, these two contractors plus a third, Daniel Marr and Son Co., were cited for exposing the employees, who were working near water, to drowning and fall hazards due to lack of guardrails, personal flotation devices, life vests, rescue skiffs and/or fall protection.
All told, Norsar was issued five serious citations with $35,000 in proposed fines; Sarens was issued three serious citations, with $21,000 in fines; and Marr was issued four serious citations with $12,000 in fines. The fines proposed to Norsar and Sarens were $7,000 each, the maximum allowed under law for serious citations.
Each company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed fines to meet with OSHA or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Boston South Area Office; telephone 617-565-6924.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
###
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department 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.