EHS Today
  • Magazine Subscription
  • ENewsletters
  • EHS Education
  • Safety Leadership Conference
  • America's Safest Companies
    • Search
  • EHS Today Intelligence
  • Safety
  • Health
  • Environment
  • Standards
  • Safety Technology
  • Training & Engagement
  • Leadership
  • Topics
    EHS IntelligenceEnvironmentHealthSafetyLeadershipStandardsConstructionPPESafety TechnologyTraining & EngagementEmergency ManagementCOVID-19 CrisisIndustrial Hygiene
    Resources
    Member BenefitsSafety Leadership ConferenceEHS EducationAmerica's Safest Companies AwardsWebinarsWhite PapersWorkplace Safety AcademyMagazine SubscriptioneNewsletter SubscriptionLatest HeadlinesContact UsAdvertisePress ReleasesPrivacy & Cookie PolicyTerms of Service
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/EHS-Today/66542218626?ref=ts
    https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4355311
    https://twitter.com/EHSToday
    1. Archive

    Cofferdam Collapse Creates Citations for Contractor

    Nov. 9, 2001
    OSHA issues 17 citations against a contractor following a May 8 cofferdam collapse that seriously injured a worker.
    EHS Today Staff

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued 17 citations against Jay Cashman Inc., a contractor building a portion of the new Brightman Street Bridge over the Taunton River between Fall River and Somerset , Mass., following a May 8 cofferdam collapse that seriously injured a worker. OSHA proposed $191,100 in fines against the Boston-based contractor.

    "The Department of Labor is charged with protecting America's workers and enforcing the comprehensive laws that deal with worker safety and secure workplaces," Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said. "These are our top priorities, and this citation clearly reinforces that commitment."

    OSHA is citing Jay Cashman Inc. for one alleged willful violation, proposing the maximum fine of $70,000, exposing employees to crushing and drowning hazards in a cofferdam collapse. According to OSHA, the collapse was due to the employer's failure to construct cofferdams in accordance with their design and making changes to the cofferdams without consulting their designer. A willful violation is defined by OSHA as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations.

    "OSHA's inspection determined that the contractor had not constructed this and four other cofferdams on this project in accordance with their designs and had made many changes to them without consulting their designer," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA area director for southeastern Massachusetts. "These unauthorized changes weakened the cofferdams. If the workers had not been on a coffee break when the collapse occurred, the entire crew could have been crushed or drowned."

    Fines totaling $85,000 are being proposed for four alleged repeat violations, for failing to properly secure cranes to floating barges to prevent their slipping overboard; fall hazards; failing to provide workers with safe access from the top of the cofferdam to lower levels; and not securing oxygen cylinders. Cashman previously had been cited for similar violations in March and June 2000, following OSHA inspections at jobsites in Boston. OSHA issues a repeat citation when an employer has previously been cited for a substantially similar violation and that earlier citation and its penalty have become final.

    Cashman faces an additional $36,100 in fines for 12 alleged serious violations for not making provisions for prompt medical treatment in the event of serious injury; not promptly removing a defective crane from service; not performing trial lifts for crane-suspended platforms used to lift workers; impalement hazards; improper storage of oxygen and gas cylinders; tripping and falling hazards; an unguarded grinder; electrical hazards; improper use of portable ladders; and using inadequate wire ropes to lift and suspend cofferdam frames. A serious violation is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

    edited by Sandy Smith

    Continue Reading

    Regulatory Update: DOL Updates Employee Representation During Inspection

    Top 10 OSHA Violations of 2023

    Sponsored Recommendations

    Is Your Safety Program Effective? 10 Questions Every Safety Leader Should Ask

    Nov. 7, 2023

    Purposeful Presence: How Leaders Show Up to Amp Up Performance

    Nov. 7, 2023

    The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease

    Nov. 7, 2023

    Autopsy of an Injury Uncovering 18 Million Exposures in One Activity

    Nov. 7, 2023

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!

    I already have an account

    New

    Making Naloxone Part of Emergency Preparedness Plan

    The ROI of Visual AI for HSE - Unlocking the Power of Data

    Clear Vision: Safeguarding Construction Workers' Eyes on the Job

    Most Read

    So You Think You Know a Lot about OSHA? (Quiz)

    Not Many Leaders are Confident in Their Well-Being Programs

    How Can Flourishing Help Worker Well-Being?


    Sponsored

    5 Tactics to Build Stronger Employee Engagement for a Safer Workplace

    Dawn Foods enhances safety culture and compliance by adopting mobile-first EHS software solution

    Above and Beyond: Rising to the Challenge of SIF Prevention in the Utility Industry

    EHS Today
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/EHS-Today/66542218626?ref=ts
    https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4355311
    https://twitter.com/EHSToday
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Do Not Sell or Share
    • Privacy & Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    © 2023 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Endeavor Business Media Logo