OSHA Fines Five Contractors After Deadly Towboat Explosion

Thursday, July 26, 2018 | 0

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined five contractors almost $800,000 after a towboat explosion in January killed three workers and injured six more.

The Calvert City, Kentucky, explosion happened while workers were cutting and welding in an atmosphere containing flammable gases, OSHA reported this week. The contractors had failed to test confined spaces for gases; to train workers on entry into confined spaces; to properly label chemical containers; and had exposed employees to fire, chemical and drowning hazards.

The agency listed the citations for First Marine, Hutco, Thermal Control and Fabrication, Wise Staffing Group and Joe Rupcke. First Marine has been placed in the agency's Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The towboat was involved in another accident in 2015, when it collided with another boat and sank in the Mississippi River, according to news reports.