A cofferdam (A cofferdam is an enclosure beneath the water constructed to allow water to be displaced by air for the purpose of creating a dry work environment.) collapse caused OSHA to propose $191,000 in fines against a Boston-based contractor.The contractor was cited on for alleged willful, repeated, and serious safety and health violations for failing to properly construct the cofferdam and for numerous other hazards. A willful violation is defined by OSHA as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of OSHA regulations.
The inspection determined that the contractor had not constructed this and four other cofferdams in accordance with their designs and had made many changes without consulting their designer. These unauthorized changes weakened the cofferdams. If the workers had not been on a coffee break when the collapse occurred, the entire crew could have been crushed or drowned.
Fines totaling $85,000 are being proposed for four alleged repeat violations, for failing to properly secure cranes to floating barges to prevent their slipping overboard; fall hazards; failing to provide workers with safe access from the top of the cofferdam to lower levels and not securing oxygen cylinders.
The contractor faces an additional $36,100 in fines for 12 alleged serious violations for not making provisions for prompt medical treatment in the event of serious injury; not promptly removing a defective crane from service; not performing trial lifts for crane-suspended platforms used to lift workers; impalement hazards; improper storage of oxygen and gas cylinders; tripping and falling hazards; an unguarded grinder; electrical hazards; improper use of portable ladders; and using inadequate wire ropes to lift and suspend cofferdam frames.
