Cement company cited after worker drowns in Mississippi River
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The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday announced it cited a Pennsylvania cement manufacturer after a worker drowned in February.
OSHA cited Bethlehem-based Buzzi Unicem USA, which operates as River Cement Sales Co., for five serious violations after an employee died after falling from a barge into the Mississippi River.
The agency said the company failed to ensure workers wore personal flotation devices when exposed to drowning hazards, failed to install guardrails to protect workers from falling overboard, and failed to train employees in first aid.
The worker died after climbing onto a second deck on the barge to repair a blocked valve. He fell head-first into the river. Co-workers were unsuccessful in their attempts to retrieve the employee from the river and the worker’s remains weren’t recovered until about a month after the incident, according to OSHA.
OSHA proposed $62,500 in penalties. The company has 15 business days to contest the citation and fines.
