OSHA cites Florida company after canal worker drowns

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined a Florida seawall and erosion repair company $46,409 following an investigation that found safety lapses after a diver drowned while removing sand with an industrial vacuum to restore an embankment.

The April 4 incident was the result of Margate, Florida-based Erosion Barrier Installations Corp.’s failure to train divers on emergency procedures, OSHA said in a statement released Thursday.

Specifically, OSHA said the company failed to train divers in dive-related physics and physiology and did not train dive teams on equipment use, techniques and emergency procedures required to perform underwater tasks safely.

The company, which is facing two willful and 10 serious violations and was cited in 2011 following another fatal diving incident, has 15 days to contest.