Morgan Base Inc. and Hacker Boat Co., which have the same owner, were inspected last summer as the result of a referral to OSHA from the New York State Lake George Commission. Hacker Boat manufactures wooden power boats, and Morgan Marine is the company's marina and repair shop.
John Tomich, OSHA's Albany area office director, said several of the same citations were issued to both companies, since employees generally work for both companies and are exposed to hazards at both companies. The companies each were cited for seven alleged serious violations, included inadequate leak-proof protection around a 1,000-gallon gasoline tank, lack of fall protection, lack of an adequate lockout/tagout program and training for controlling hazardous energy, lack of machine guarding for saws, lack of a hazard communication program and training for chemical use, and lack of proper eyewash/shower facility where employees are exposed to corrosive materials. Hacker also received a serious citation for exposing employees to electrical hazards.
The companies were issued other-than-serious citations for not maintaining injury and illness logs, not documenting and certifying crane inspections and alleged violations concerning the use of respirators and dust masks. OSHA did not issue fines for these alleged violations.
Tomich warned his office plans to conduct a number of planned inspections of marinas under a local emphasis program that focuses on many of the health and safety issued uncovered and cited at Morgan Marine and Hacker Boat.
The companies have 15 days to comply, request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or contest the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
