On December 10, 2013, a 27-year old deck hand with 4 years and 8 months of experience drowned at a dredge operation. He was working on a dredge that had a barge attached to it. The victim stepped on the barge and fell into the water.
- Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions and ensure they understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards before beginning work.
- Always wear a life jacket where there is a danger of falling into the water.
- Remove snow and ice from work areas.
- Ensure safe access is provided where persons are required to work or travel. Maintain three points of contact.
- Install and use lifeline tie-off runs and fall protection.
- Provide communication devices and establish procedures requiring persons to alert coworkers when they are outside the dredge’s handrails.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).