OSHA Inspection: OTTAWA BARGE TERMINAL, INC.

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4839.00 · Current $4839.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1917.26(b): A first aid kit shall be available at the terminal, and at least one person holding a valid first aid certificate shall be at the terminal when work is in progress.  On or about November 22, 2023, the employer did not ensure that at least one person holding a valid first aid certificate was present at the terminal while work to remove the lids/covers from a Jumbo Covered Box Barge was being performed. This exposes employees to potentially increased severity of injuries and illnesses due to a delay in first aid treatment if needed.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4839.00 · Current $4839.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1917.26(d)(1): There shall be available for each vessel being worked one Stokes basket stretcher, or its equivalent, permanently equipped with bridles for attaching to the hoisting gear.  On or about November 22, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure there was a Stokes basket stretcher, or its equivalent, permanently equipped with bridles for attaching to the hoisting gear, was available. This exposed employees to the hazard of not being promptly rescued if subjected to a fall.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1917.26(d)(3): A blanket or other suitable covering shall be available.  On or about November 22, 2023, there was no blanket or suitable covering available to employees to use. If subjected to a fall into the water in ambient temperatures of 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit, and no suitable covering to assist in raising core body temperature, employees are exposed to hazards of pneumonia or hypothermia.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4839.00 · Current $4839.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1917.45(j)(1): No employee shall be hoisted by the load hoisting apparatus of a crane or derrick except as described in 1917.45(j)(1)(i)-(iii).  On or about November 27, 2023, and at times prior, the employer used a John Deere 470G Excavator performing the functions of a crane and did not use an approved method for hoisting personnel down into barges. The employer permitted employees to ride inside a Kubota SSV75 Skid Steer Loader as it lowered down into and lifted out of a Jumbo Covered Box Barge by the John Deere 470G Excavator. The skid steer was hoisted by wire rope slings that connected to a Young Clamshell Bucket- Serial # 588Y195 on the excavator and to a single-point lift attachment on the skid steer. This exposed employees to a fall inside of the skid steer, if it were to be dropped, and severe injuries that could result in death.   Abated during inspection.

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3457.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.95(b)(3): Personal flotation devices shall be maintained in safe condition and shall be considered unserviceable when damaged so as to affect buoyancy or fastening capability.   On or about November 22, 2023, the employer did not ensure personal flotation devices were maintained in a safe condition and undamaged. Employees were exposed to falls into the river while wearing damaged personal flotation devices which could result in drowning.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1918.105(b)(3): Personal flotation devices shall be maintained in safe condition and shall be considered unserviceable when damaged in a manner that affects buoyancy or fastening capability.  On or about November 22, 2023, the employer did not ensure personal flotation devices were maintained in a safe condition and undamaged. Employees were exposed to falls into the river while wearing damaged personal flotation devices which could result in drowning.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1917.111(d): All walking and working surfaces in the terminal area shall be maintained in good repair.   On or about November 22, 2023, the employer did not ensure that all walking and working surfaces in the terminal area were maintained in good repair. Employees are exposed to trip and fall hazards that could result into a fall down the riverbank or into the river which could lead to life altering injuries or death.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1917.11(a): Active work areas shall be kept free of equipment and materials not in use, and clear of debris, projecting nails, strapping and other sharp objects not necessary for the work in progress.  On or about November 27, 2023, active work areas were not kept free of protruding sharp objects along the dock and riverbank. Employees were exposed to tripping hazards that could result in a fall down the riverbank, fall into the water, or trip and fall into the sharp metal which could result in cuts, impalement, severe injuries requiring hospitalization, or death.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3457.00 · Current $2322.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1917.112(a)(1): Vehicle curbs, bull rails, or other effective barriers at least six inches (15.24 cm) in height shall be provided at the waterside edges of aprons and bulkheads, except where vehicles are prohibited. Curbs or bull rails installed after October 3, 1983, shall be at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height.  On or about November 27, 2023, employees operated powered industrial vehicles and motor vehicles at the waterside edge with no effective barrier(s). Employees are exposed to drowning hazards from vehicles inadvertently going over the waterside edge.  The following instances were observed:  (a) To the East of the product catch ramp, there is a section of yellow bull rail installed. The east end of the yellow bull rail damaged or cut off. There is an opening with no effective barrier immediately following the section of cut off/damaged bull rail.  (b) There is a section that runs North-Northeast from the yellow bull rail that is East of the product catch ramp. This section does not have an effective barrier, curb, or bull rail installed. There is a mix of materials placed low to the ground. There is metal sheeting running North-Northeast from the water's edge, that meets a corner with another concrete type of material. This runs East and butts up to a row of yellow/gray concrete barricades.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4839.00 · Current $3704.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1918.26(b): When employees cannot step safely to or from the wharf and a float, barge, or river towboat, either a ramp meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section or a safe walkway meeting the requirements of 1918.22(f) shall be provided.   On or about November 22, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees utilized the "dock ladder" provided to safely access a Jumbo Covered Box Barge. Employees were exposed to a fall of greater than 10 feet which could result in severe life altering injuries or death.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3457.00 · Current $3457.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1918.92(a): Walking, working, and climbing areas. Walking, working, and climbing areas shall be illuminated.   On or about November 22, 2023, and at times prior the employer did not ensure walking, working, and climbing areas were illuminated for employees working to remove lids from a Covered Jumbo Box Barge. The only light provided was that of the light on the John Deere 470G excavator. Minimal lighting creates a hazard to employees maneuvering around on the barge exposing them to slip/fall hazards which could result in a fall into or off of the barge leading to life altering disabilities or death.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).