First Marine, LLC has issued a response to the US Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that cites five companies for safety and health violation. The five companies received 55 violations, with penalties totally $795,254, relating to the January explosion in Calvert City that killed three and severely injured two.
It was determined by OSHA that employees were cutting and welding in a flammable atmosphere when the explosion occurred. OSHA also determined that the tragedy could have been prevented had proper confined space procedures been followed.
First Marine, LLC, is reviewing a press release, citations and other information released by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) pertaining to the January 19, 2018 incident aboard the M/V WILLIAM E. STRAIT.
In response, First Marine Representative Jason Strait issued this statement (July 24, 2018).
We have fully cooperated with the OSHA investigation, which is standard procedure after this type of incident. At the same time OSHA was performing its investigation, we have been looking at all our safety procedures and practices. In the coming weeks we will continue working with OSHA. We understand that everyone wants answers, and we intend to be transparent in all things, as we have been during the OSHA investigation.
Workplace safety is the first priority in all our operations. We already have implemented safety enhancements as the result of what we have learned from our own investigation. As a company and as individuals, we take our safety responsibilities very seriously, and we have re-dedicated ourselves to maintaining a safe workplace. Other than the January 19, 2018 incident, First Marine only had one lost time incident in the prior 36 months, which shows our safety culture. We will continue to place an emphasis on safety as we always have in the past.
We remain saddened over the loss of lives and injuries that occurred as a result of this incident and we sympathize with all of the families. We are a family-owned business and the men and women who work for our company are more than just employees, they are our family.
Citations issued:
• Failing to test confined spaces before entry
• Failing to train workers on confined space entry operations
• Failing to label chemical containers
• Exposing employees to asphyxiation, fire, explosion, chemical, trip, and drowning hazards
• Allowing hot work/welding to be performed without testing for an explosive atmosphere
Companies cited:
• First Marine LLC
• Insulation contractor Thermal Control and Fabrication Inc.
• Temporary staffing company Hutco Inc.
• Temporary staffing company Day Help LLC (doing business as Wise Staffing Group)
• Blasting and painting contractor Joe Rupcke