05.12.2008

Contractor fined

A Beaufort, South Carolina construction company has been fined $7,500 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration after the company's crane Click here to see original report collapsed on two houseboats at Palmetto Bay Marina this summer.

OSHA's Atlanta office cited Beaufort-based Atlantic Marine Construction Co. for six alleged safety violations, which an OSHA spokesman said created an environment in which the crane's boom, smashed through Cindy Holland's houseboat, landing just feet from a couch she was occupying.
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The boom went over the back from the recoil effect

The crane was pulling on an old dock piling when a cable sling slipped off the piling, causing the boom to recoil and crash down over the rear. The boom crushed the crane's cab and smashed into Holland's boat and damaged another boat owned by Troy Conner.

The citations issued are as follows:

• Atlantic Marine did not designate a competent person to inspect its crane. Fine: $1,500.

• The company did not receive "a thorough annual safety inspection." Fine: $1,500.

• The company did not properly secure the crane to the barge it operated off of while pulling the pilings. Fine: $1,500.

•The crane was operating after its boom stops had been removed. Fine: $1,500.

•The company didn't cordon off certain danger areas within the 360-degree radius of the boom "to prevent employees from being struck or crushed by the crane." Fine: $750.

• The company didn't have a load chart on the crane to let the operator know how much force to apply for certain weights being pulled or lifted. Fine: $750.

Atlantic Marine owner Dan Schultz declined to comment – the company has until next Tuesday to appeal the citations.