Marine contractor cited over ship worker crushed to death

A marine cargo contractor has been cited by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration following the September 2022 death of a worker crushed by two tons of cargo in Panama City, Florida.

OSHA on Friday announced it cited Mobile, Alabama-based Premier Bulk Stevedoring LLC for one repeat violation and two serious violations after inspectors determined the company’s crane operator had an obstructed view of a signalman guiding the movement of a load of paper weighing thousands of pounds on the M/V Weserborg.

When the ship pitched during the crane work, the worker, who had been in the ship’s cargo hold, was fatally crushed up against a wall by the load.

OSHA said the company also failed to ensure that cargo handling supervisors completed a course in accident prevention.

OSHA said it issued a similar citation against the company in December 2020.

The company is facing $43,750 in proposed penalties. It has 15 days to contest the citations.