At 5:15 p.m. on October 27, 2013, three (3) employees and a supervisor were working on the deck of three (3) barges to ready them for delivery.
The supervisor and one of the employees entered the #1 cargo tank of barges #1 and #2 to check the deep well blind on the deep well inspection flange.
Another coworker, assisted by Employee #1, also entered the #1 cargo tank.
Employee #1, 59, became dizzy and could not climb the ladder to get out, and fell to the tank bottom, landing on his right side and striking his head on the metal tank.
Employee #1 was seen by his coworker bleeding from his head and unresponsive.
The coworker notified the supervisor, who called the shipyard project coordinator, who called 911.
The project coordinator told the supervisor that the barge entered by Employee #1 had nitrogen in all of its cargo tanks in preparation for receiving cargo.
The fire department arrived on the scene within 15 minutes of the initial fall from the ladder by Employee #1.
The fire department tested the tank’s atmosphere and found less than 1% oxygen. Employee #1 was asphyxiated and killed.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 2 | 5 | |||
| Current Violations | 3 | 2 | 5 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $21,000 | $0 | $0 | $1,400 | $0 | $22,400 |
| Current Penalty | $13,650 | $0 | $0 | $906 | $0 | $14,556 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | Contest | Latest Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19100145 F03 | 01/31/2014 | 02/23/2014 | $4,550 | $7,000 | I – Informal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19150012 A01 I | 01/31/2014 | 02/23/2014 | $4,550 | $7,000 | I – Informal Settlement | |
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19150012 D01 | 01/31/2014 | 02/23/2014 | $4,550 | $7,000 | I – Informal Settlement | |
| 4. | 02001 | Other | 19100095 D01 | 01/31/2014 | 02/23/2014 | $453 | $700 | I – Informal Settlement | |
| 5. | 02002 | Other | 19150012 D05 | 01/31/2014 | 03/04/2014 | $453 | $700 | I – Informal Settlement |
https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=53926.015
