OSHA Inspection: BELL MARINE CO INC

Issued

Dec 8, 1997

Abate by

Jan 5, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,450 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Dec 8, 1997

Abate by

Jan 5, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,450 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Dec 8, 1997

Abate by

Jan 5, 1998

Issued

Dec 8, 1997

Abate by

Jan 5, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,450 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Dec 8, 1997

Abate by

Jan 5, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,450 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Dec 8, 1997

Abate by

Jan 5, 1998

Issued

Dec 8, 1997

Abate by

Jan 5, 1998

Issued

Dec 8, 1997

Abate by

Jan 5, 1998

Penalty

Initial $49,000 · Current $30,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to drowning on a barge that was not maintained in a water
tight or seaworthy
condition.  The lack of repairs to and the attempted repairs made to the
Bell 157 left it in a
condition that did not comply with accepted industry standards such as the
American Bureau of
Shipping (ABS), the United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved procedures
or were against
the recommendation of the ship repair facility.  Procedures prosaic to the
industry:  ABS Rules
for Steel Barges and USCG Navigation and Vessel Repair Circular No. 7-68.
a)Bell 157:  wasted through holes on the weather deck were not repaired.
b)Bell 157:  openings between the hopper and the weather deck were not
repaired in
accordance with approved procedures.
c)Bell 157:  wasted out hatches on the weather deck were not repaired or
replaced to
provide a water tight deck.
d)Bell 157:  holes in the hull were patched with steel patches, not
conforming with
acceptable repair technology.  This repair fails to address industry
standards.
e)Bell 157.  Side longitudinales were totally wasted away on the starboard
side and were
not replaced.
f)Bell 157.  Bottom longitudinales were wasted and were not replaced.
One feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to repair the
vessel according to
American Bureau of Shipping and United States Coast Guard standards.

Issued

Dec 8, 1997

Abate by

Jan 5, 1998

Penalty

Initial $49,000 · Current $30,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to the hazard of drowning due to modifications and
alterations made to the Bell
157.  These modifications and alterations left the barge in a condition
that did not comply with
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) or the United States Coast Guard (USCG)
approved
procedures.  Applicable ABS Rules for Steel Barges, USCG United State
Coast Guard Circular
7-68, and 46CFR:
a)Bell 157:  the water tight doors between compartments were removed.
b)Bell 157:  doublers were added to the hopper and hull, alterations that
do not comply
with general industry practices, American Bureau of Ships or United States
Coast Guard
procedures.
c)Bell 157:  water tight hatch covers were removed on hatches on the
weather deck.
One feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to conduct an
independent survey
and make changes necessary to bring the vessel into compliance with
American Bureau of
Shipping and USCG standards.