OSHA Inspection: SHIPBUILDERS OF WISCONSIN INC.

Issued

2026-06-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $14895.00 · Current $7448.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(b)(1): Handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems are provided in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.28.  On or about February 17, 2026, at an establishment located at 1811 Spring Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin - Building 48; employees were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 7 feet to the steel, lower mid-deck surface and 16 feet 8 inches onto the concrete ground surface while utilizing the two curved stair systems on the east (bow) end of an 89-foot Wendella riverboat. The stair rails at the top of the systems had gaps of between 4 and 20 inches on either side of the stairs, and the top sections below the gaps were missing midrails.

Issued

2026-06-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-07-06 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12768.00 · Current $6384.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.27(a): Scaffolds. Scaffolds used in general industry must meet the requirements in 29 CFR part 1926, subpart L (Scaffolds).  On or about February 17, 2026, at an establishment located at 1811 Spring Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin - Building 46; the employer did not ensure that the scaffold used by painting and sanding employees to access their work areas on a 180-foot aluminum yacht was inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect the scaffold's structural integrity. Such defects to identify during inspections may include, but are not limited to: a) the blue stairway on the starboard side near the bow leading from the first level to the second level was not provided with a landing platform at least 18 inches wide by 18 inches long.  b) the blue stairway on the starboard side near the bow leading from the first level to the second level was not provided with a handrail that spanned the entire length of the stairway. c) failure to guard or install fall protection to prevent falls into the gaps between the leading edge of the scaffold planking on the second level and the hull of the ship on the starboard side.

Issued

2026-06-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-07-06 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1915.71(j)(1): Scaffolding, staging, runways, or working platforms which are supported or suspended more than 5 feet above a solid surface, or at any distance above the water, shall be provided with a railing which has a top rail whose upper surface is from 42 to 45 inches above the upper surface of the staging, platform, or runway and a midrail located halfway between the upper rail and the staging, platform, or runway.   On or about February 26, 2026, to February 30, 2026, at an establishment located at 1811 Spring Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin - Building 46; employees were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 6 feet 11 inches to the lower level while walking and working on the second level scaffold that did not have guard rails on the starboard side of a 180-foot-long aluminum yacht. The fall hazard existed between the leading edge of the scaffold planks and the hull of the vessel where gaps measured between approximately 18 to 25 inches.

Issued

2026-06-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-07-06 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1915.71(j)(3): Rails may be omitted where the structure of the vessel prevents their use. When rails are omitted, employees working more than 5 feet above solid surfaces shall be protected by safety belts and life lines meeting the requirements of 1915.159 and 1915.160, and employees working over water shall be protected by buoyant work vests meeting the requirements of 1915.158(a).  On or about February 26, 2026, to February 30, 2026, at an establishment located at 1811 Spring Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin - Building 46; employees were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 6 feet 11 inches to the lower level while walking and working on the second level scaffold on the starboard side of a 180-foot-long aluminum yacht without fall protection in areas where it was infeasible to install guardrails. The fall hazard existed between the leading edge of the scaffold planks and the hull of the vessel where gaps measured between approximately 18 to 25 inches.

Issued

2026-06-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-07-06 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $14895.00 · Current $7448.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1915.73(d): When employees are exposed to unguarded edges of decks, platforms, flats, and similar flat surfaces, more than 5 feet above a solid surface, the edges shall be guarded by adequate guardrails meeting the requirements of 1915.71(j)(1) and (2), unless the nature of the work in progress or the physical conditions prohibit the use or installation of such guardrails.  At an establishment located at 1811 Spring Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin - Building 48:  a) On or about February 17, 2026, employees were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 16 feet 8 inches to the concrete ground surface while working from the upper deck of an 89-foot Wendella riverboat. The bulwarks around the sheerline had two gaps, each approximately 7 feet wide, on both the port and starboard quarters of the vessel.   b) On or about February 17, 2026, employees were exposed to fall hazards of at least 10 feet to the concrete ground surface when the top rail on the guard rail around the mid deck was not between 42 and 45 inches above the upper surface of the walking-working surface of the mid deck.

Issued

2026-06-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-08-06 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $14895.00 · Current $7448.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1915.159(b)(5): Horizontal lifelines shall be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person, and shall only be used as part of a complete personal fall arrest system that maintains a safety factor of at least two.  On or about January 12, 2026, to January 16, 2026, at an establishment located 1811 Spring Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin - in Building 48; employees installing bulwarks and solid wind breaks along the sheerline on the top deck of an 89-foot Wendella riverboat were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 16 feet 8 inches to the concrete ground surface below when the two horizontal lifelines they were utilizing were not designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person.

Issued

2026-06-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-07-06 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1915.159(d): Training. Before using personal fall arrest equipment, each affected employee shall be trained to understand the application limits of the equipment and proper hook-up, anchoring, and tie-off techniques. Affected employees shall also be trained so that they can demonstrate the proper use, inspection, and storage of their equipment.   On or about January 12, 2026, to January 16, 2026, at an establishment located 1811 Spring Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin - in Building 48; employees working on the top deck of an 89-foot Wendella riverboat and utilizing the two horizontal lifelines, harnesses, and retractable lanyards were not trained in the limits, use, and inspection of the equipment.